The best dimmer switch for a Philips Led bulb is a dimmer switch especially made just for LED`s or in some cases a universal dimmer.
There`s also one dimmer type you should stay away from when you got Philips LEDs, read on to find out more.
This is a universal dimmer for Philips LEDs. You can load it up with 150-Watt of LED Philips bulbs and because it`s a universal dimmer switch it can be used for 150W of compact fluorescent (CFL) lamps or 600W incandescent and halogen bulbs.
Important
There have been some reports about flickering with this dimmer.
I have seen some flickering when I tried to turn the lights on from cold with the dimmer at the lowest dimming setting of the slide. If you experience flickering with this dimmer all you need to do is slide up the dimmer briefly and then you can immediately turn it back down to the minimum and the bulbs should stay on steady without any issues.
This dimmer switch will turn your Philips LEDs off and turn back on to wherever the slide dimmer is placed. If you turn the switch off at 50%, the switch will turn on at 50%.
This is a single pole/3-way 150-W Philips LED-compatible dimmer switch.
It features a trim dial beneath the cover plate, you can’t really see it in the pictures, but it`s on the right-hand side, which allows for sensitivity adjustment during installation to achieve best dimming level with LED lamps.
You must adjust the trim dial before you put the faceplate on, just turn it on and adjust the dimmer all the way down. After that, you turn that little dial until it is a dim as you want the lowest setting to be.
You can easily turn your lights on and off using the rocker switch and automatically return to your previously selected light level of brightness.
You can easily dim your Philips LED bulbs with this switch. The slider goes trough a full range of dimming from extremely low light to full brightness.
The switch makes a tiny click sound when you push it on but it`s not too loud in my opinion. There are some that are totally silent like the Leviton and Lutron switches on this page.
This is the new Legrand Tricolor, tricolor meaning that it comes with two additional covers in addition to the white and they are ivory and light almond.
This dimmer is a 0-10V dimmer and it is designed for 0-10V ballasts/drivers. If you do not have a 0-10V ballast this is not the dimmer you want.
This has a smart feature that the constant memory returns lights to the previous level after a power failure.
This is a High-Wattage Dimmer, you can load it up with 1000 Watts of Philips led bulbs and it installs like the traditional dimmer wall switch with the exception of requiring a connection to a neutral. Once installed, setup is quick and easy using simple programming.
If you add an Insteon Hub and Amazon Alexa you can use your voice to switch on the lights before getting out of bed or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—all without lifting a finger.
The Baomain is a wallet friendly alternative to the more known brands.
Important
If you follow the instructions for single-pole in the package, you’ll end up with a dimmer where Down is on and Up is off. But you can easily fix that, do this instead: switch the 2 red wires, the red wire next to the black on the switch and connect it to the black wire in the wall and that`s it.
Installation is very simple, just like any other switch.
Just set the brightness and then use the on-off switch, which is large, when coming into or out of a room.
These little outlets are perfect for household appliances. It does not get easier than with BN-LINK outlets controlled by a switch. They are ready to go straight out of the package. Even the batteries for the remotes are included. The outlets are programmed so you just plug it in and switch on your appliance from the remote. Remember to switch on your appliance for the outlet to operate accurately.
The biggest mistake when buying remote outlets is weak signal quality
What`s more annoying than trying to turn the appliance on or off but you`re out of the signal’s range.
These RF receivers and transmitters work through walls and doors without disturbing other electronics. The signal can function as far as 100 ft in line of sight.
With a single Etekcity remote you can connect the remote to multiple outlets. TV, fan, lights, audio sound systems, Christmas lights and so on, so basically you can keep your whole home in control with only one remote. The package comes with two remotes for extra comfort.
The remote has five button combinations one to turn on and one to turn off.
The range of these remote outlets is impressive.
You can switch an outlet across three stories, they work through walls. You can operate these from one side of the house to the other side. There`s no delay, the response is nearly instantaneous.
These X-Sense remote control outlets features a wireless control range of up to a impressive 330 ft, surpassing most of its competitors in the market.
The remote is user-friendly, the surface is dirtproof and the buttons are wear-resistant.
Super comfortable remote control
The signal quality between outlet and remote
This device does not need to be in direct line of sight. It works on a transmitted RF signal, not an infrared signal. Infrared signals can usually be blocked by being behind something, but this outlet will still work if it is behind something and like many other devices this does not have to be in a direct line with the outlet when using the remote.
Where to use the wireless wall-mounted light switch?
The wall-mounted light switch could be perfect for if you got lamps on your nightstand. If you aren’t thrilled about reaching for the cord switch at night and maybe they are too far away to reach easily then this wall-mounted switch is perfect. You can put the wall-mounted switches where ever you want so that you can reach over with no problems and turn the lights on or off.
You got a dimmer switch and now you wonder what`s the best light bulb for your dimmer?
The bulb must be dimmable, energy-efficient, have a long lifespan, easy to install and have a clean light that creates a good light atmosphere in any room.
Read on why you don`t want to buy a regular bulb if you keep your lights on for many hours every day.
If you don`t have time to read the whole article I`ve put together a table with the best bulbs.
If you’re unsure which light bulbs you can use with your dimmer switch, this article is going to clear it for you.
Do you need special bulbs for dimmers?
Yes, you need a dimmable bulb. But there are some exceptions.
If you don`t use a dimmable bulb, you`ll get problems like, buzzing noise, the bulb doesn`t dim down enough, flickering which is very annoying and the bulb can burn out.
What light bulbs can you use with a dimmer switch?
Led bulbs:
It must be dimmable. Don`t get the non-dimmable or you will get flickering and buzzing problems.
You should get commercial-grade bulbs because of the increased lifespan compared to the regular grade. You should spend the extra money on the commercial grade if you tend to leave the lights on all day.
This dimmable A19 led bulb is a top choice.
These LED A19 bulbs are designed as a direct replacement for your old incandescent light bulbs while consuming less power. These LED light bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy than their incandescent equivalents while producing the same lumen output.
The A19 size means that they fit in standard light bulb sockets. And the profile is a little bit smaller than in the old incandescent bulbs, which means they fit into most standard light fixtures. They come wrapped so that you can install it without touching the actual bulb.
You get way less power consumption than a traditional floodlight and just as bright. The light is a soft white, they give a spotlight effect in a ceiling or a flood light effect if used to an angled outdoors light. I`ve used them in motion detector floodlights.
Super easy to screw in, lightweight, sturdy, nothing to complain about.
But what about other bulb types which are the best dimmable?
Best Dimmable Incandescents Bulbs:
Will work with any dimmer switch. This is because incandescent light bulbs will only burn out if you go over their maximum voltage, not if you stay under it.
In fact, running an incandescent light bulb at a lower voltage can even increase its lifespan.
Are way more complicated. If you run a lower voltage current through a fluorescent bulb that isn’t manufactured for dimming, your bulb will start to hum and then turn off, without ever dimming.
This bulb is good for ceiling fixtures. It can, of course, be used in other places too. I`ve used this bulb in ceiling fixtures and this bulb really lights up the whole room. The light is not greenish or bluish like some other fluorescents. The dimming feature works, but not as smoothly like in LEDs or incandescents but it does the job.
To dim fluorescent lights, you need two things:
First, you need a bulb with what is called a “dimmable ballast”. It is going to say on the package if it has one.
And second, you need a dimmer that is compatible with your bulb. The main problem is that standard dimmers are not perfectly compatible with all dimmable fluorescents, even if the fluorescent says so on the package.
Instead, you are way better off getting a dimmer specially made for fluorescent lights or CFLs. These dimmer switches will say they are specially designed for fluorescent lights.
If you’d like your LED to be dimmable, you need to do one of two things: find LED bulbs compatible with traditional dimmers, or replace your current dimming switch with a leading-edge(LED-compatible) dimmer.
Can I dim non-dimmable LED lights?
Yes and no.
I`ve tried to dim non-dimmable LEDs and some bulb types have dimmed down a little bit but not enough and they almost always flicker, so I don`t recommend that. You should buy a dimmable bulb to get the best out of your dimmer.
Double dimmer switch or a Dual dimmer switch LED compatible is a switch that have two buttons in one control unit (stacked LED dimmer switch) and because of that compact design it saves space. It is a good replacement for stacked switches that are usually found in bathrooms and kitchens.
In this review we`ll take a look at the Lutron Maestro MA-L3L3-WH.
The Lutron Maestro is an excellent switch. In fact, you will see on Amazon.com that this dimmer is actually voted on to the best seller list. We will be checking out why this is such a good switch, the type of light fixtures that this will work with and also the good and bad facts so you can get a better feel for what to expect.
We will also be looking at the other customer opinions from people that actually bought the Maestro and who better to hear from if you are looking to buy it? So you`ll get my personal experience and opinion – plus the other customers too. If you have landed on this review and you are JUST looking to buy this device you can check out the Lutron Maestro MA-L3L3-WH at Amazon.
So let`s go over the full review of switch and tell you what to expect.
Is this The Best Dual Dimmer Switch To Purchase?
Let us take a look at the different parts and we will zoom in on the parts that we think make a great switch.
Duo Dimmer Switch Review
This Maestro got two switches and the Maestro Dual dimmer is a perfect substitute for stacked switches usually found in bathrooms and kitchens. It integrates the task of two dimmers in one control, but is still filled up with all of Maestro’s smart features. This Maestro switch can be used with 300 Watts of halogen/ incandescent bulbs, if you have LED or CFL bulbs, please don`t use this dimmer because it could cause your lights to flicker and hum.
Easy to operate light switch
It has a easy-to-control switch that you tap once on when you want to turn the lights on and off to your prefered light level and when you tap it twice the lights will go full on.
If you want a delay when the light goes off, just press, hold and release the switch. This gives 10-60 seconds depending on how long you press/hold, before the lights goes off. A smart feature so you can leave the room or to get into bed safely.
You can use the rocker to adjust the light level from dark to brightest. It also comes with Led`s that glows in the dark so you don`t have to guess where the control is when it`s dark.
Customer feedback of the Lutron Maestro MA-L3L3-WH
Let`s take a look at the customer feedback of the Maestro. This is going to give you detailed picture from people who eventually bought this device and what they are thinking about it. You will get the good and the bad that people are saying.
Here is an summary of the good and bad of this Lutron Maestro based on the customer opinions:
Overall Rating:
This device has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars so it is definitely above average and it makes it one of the best rated dimmers on Amazon.
If you’re looking for a switch that will give you good dimming capabilities and you don’t mind the fact that it`s mid range priced then it`s well worth a try!
I will also tell you about the overall good and bad below, so you get a better picture.
Good:
The main positive things of this switch, based on the customer reviews are: the cool feature that when the lights are on and you press in one or both switches, the lights are set to turn off on a timer. The longer you press the switch the longer the timer is set, it can be set up to 60 seconds. It can be a really good feature that you can use when you`re leaving the house or a room.
Duo Switch is easy to install
Another good feature is the fact that the switch is very easy to wire up. If you’re looking for something that is very easy to set up and something that you can easily operate, then this is definitely well worth a look.
Switch memory
The one tap on the switch that will remember your last lightning level also receives a lot of positive feedback.
This switch also has a small rectangular button on the left at the very bottom, but you have to take off the wall plate for this feature. If you pull out the button, it kills the power to the switch and fixtures that the switch controls. You can use this feature when you`re changing bulbs in the fixture and when you`re done you just simply push the button in again and your light fixture is powered up again.
Bad:
Someone received a used product. Well that`s not good, you should always send it back and get it replaced by a new.
One customer bought it for dimming led lights and complained about not working correctly. This dimmer should only be used for halogen/ incandescent bulbs.
Conclusion:
The main thing to remember with the Lutron Maestro MA-L3L3-WH is that you will get a quality device for the price and you will not find one as cheap that has this quality feel to it.
Does NOT work with LED or CFL bulbs
For use with 300 Watts of incandescent/halogen bulbs only on both the top load and bottom load
The Lutron Maestro is equipped with enough features for most people and will give you everything that you need.
•The fan controller has three settings: hi, med, low and off
Cons
•Just for one light unit and fan
This is a great device for minimum Led light loads and by fine-tuning the small adjustment wheel slightly you will get your lights to dim perfectly without any flickering and humming.
Big dimming problems if you connect…
You should only use it for one light fixture and one fan, don`t try to connect two light fixtures because the fan controller does not dim lights.
If you are looking for a cheap dimmer switch double check out the Legrand – Pass & Seymour.
Are you having trouble finding a good dual control switch for a fan/light? Then you should take a look at the Leviton 6630-T SureSlide.
This switch works great even with a LED fan light. I have installed couple of different brands, that would flicker more often than not but this switch does not seem to have that problem the light has not flickered not even once. If you want a high quality product then I think this switch is one of the best fan light combo units you can find.
The SureSlide feels very solid made like they are actually going to last and not break in a couple months.
Wiring is super easy too.
Pros
•Easy setup
• Comes with a built-in TV/radio interference filter
This dual fan speed control is perfect for ceiling fans with built-in light fixtures.
Features:
Rotary dial
Quiet 1.5 amp fan speed control
This device is compatible with Decora Plus screwless wallplates and Decora wallplates
4 smooth fan speeds – Low, Medium, High and Max
dimming led lights save energy
One important thing about fan controls you should know that a fan speed control should never stop a ceiling fan at the low-end setting because if it does it can result in burnout of the motor. The low end of the control should be adjusted to make sure that the fan will spin even at the slowest setting. Some of the fan speed controls come pre-adjusted at the factory while other models must be manually adjusted during installation. So check the instructions to see if it requires adjusting.
Pros
•Fits in a standard size wallbox – Easy to install
The Leviton multi location Decora Digital In-Wall Dimmer is a reliable smart switch that provides remote on-off, dimming, and scheduling, similar to its competition.
Just tap on your smartphone or tablet and the Decora Digital Dimmer & Timer app to control, adjust and time lighting for daily activities or to ensure a “lived-in” look in your home while away.
Leviton decora app bluetooth connection
Some of the useful features on this device:
You can name each device for easy identification
Automatic daylight saving time adjustment
Dimmer brightness display can be turned off via app
Built-in radio/TV interference filter
Slide bar preserves desired lighting level
How difficult is the dimmer installation?
It comes with easy readable instructions.
In short it goes like this:
It is just slightly different than a normal light switch, as it needs constant power to run the Bluetooth and it does require a ground connection.
Dimmer Settings
Remember to check the settings on your phone or pad.
On your phone go to >Settings > Applications (Or Application manager) > Decora Digital > Permissions > Location (Turn to ENABLE or TURN ON). If you don`t do this the device will not operate like promised.
It does not come with a wall plate but has 2 different colors of face plates – white and light almond.
Do you want to use multi-location dimming?
A Decora Digital remote must be used with the Decora Digital Dimmer or Switch in a 3-way or multi-location application.
Your internet connection is down and you can`t adjust the lights, it can be a little annoying…but with this device you don`t have that problem, because it uses bluetooth to control the dimmer.
No hub, gateway or internet connection hassle
Pros
•Built in astronomical clock automatically adjusts to local sunrise/sunset times
•No personal information is needed for downloading the app
•30 foot range
Cons
•Timer setup can be difficult if you don`t follow instructions
If you want lots of good and easy usable features then take a look at this Lutron digital dimmer:
•The Maestro Digital Dimmer from Lutron allows you to dim a light fixture from multiple locations – up to ten locations.
•Tap once for on/off selected light level
•If you tap twice you get full brightness
•Do you want a delayed off feature? Just press and hold for a 10 second fade to off
• Buzz free
Available dimmer colors
You get to pick from 7 gloss colors and 20 satin colors:
How to dim from multiple locations?
If you want to dim a light from one switch location, you just simply install your dimmer, but if you want to dim your light from more than one switch location, you just pair the dimmer switch with a accessory dimmer or a companion dimmer (manufactures uses different names for these “extra” dimmers). If you are using Maestro Dimmers and Accessory Dimmers, you can control a single light from up to 10 locations – it`s very comfortable for say controlling the lights at either end of the staircase or maybe at both entrances to a room.
Features of the MACL-153M Multi location led dimmer switch
You can use over 800 different LED bulb types with this dimmer
If you prefer incandescent or halogen bulbs this device works with all of them
Do you have a mixed load of light sources on one circuit? (i.e, halogen and dimmable LED, incandescent and dimmable LED, etc.) this dimmer takes care of that too
You can load up to 150 Watts of dimmable LED/CFL bulbs or 600 Watts of Incandescent/Halogen bulbs
Can be used for multi-location dimming applications (10 locations)
It has got the easy tap switch that turns lights on/off to favorite light level
If you are a fan of customizable settings and like to play around with those, then this dimmer has some interesting features. Let`s go over some of them.
Fade on speed and fade off speed:
The fade on can be used in a room where you like the lights to come on slowly allowing your eyes to adjust to the change in light. For example maybe you want the bathroom lights to come on slowly, but fade off fast.
But then for the dining room or kitchen, you like the lights to snap on fast maybe in 2 to 3 seconds, but fade off slowly, about 5-10 seconds.
High end trim and low end trim:
The digital adjustment lever allows you to adjust the low-end of the dimming range based on the capability of your bulbs. Some of your LEDs and CFL bulbs will require a higher Low-End Trim than others. This trim will take care of the flickering and strobing when the dimmer is turned on to its lowest possible setting. You can use this feature as a personal preference for halogen or incandescent bulbs.
The high end trim allows you to change the highest achievable light levels.
Disabling “nightlight mode” is an energy saving practice and also allows the dimmer to be compatible with a broader range of CFLs and LEDs. Enabling “nightlight mode” provides a soft glow for easy location of the dimmer in a dark room.
Macl-153m-wh dimmer programming guide
Lutron has not included the advanced programming guide in the blister pack, but you can find it easily on the lutron website by googling it. It`s in a pdf file and I would suggest you print it for future reference.
Be aware that if you install this with an existing 3-way switch, you have to re-program the dimmer to get it to work properly.
It is pointed out in the fine print at the end of the installation instructions.
Can this lutron companion switch be used without a master?
No, you must have a master switch/dimmer like Lutron MACL above.
This Maestro companion dimmer switch is designed to compliment a Maestro multi-location dimmer like the Lutron MACL above this. You can link up to 9 companion switches to a Maestro or Maestro wireless switch, for a total of 10 spaces of control.
Features:
This dimmer has a tap switch that turns your lights on-off and a rocker that dims and brightens lights to suit any activity.
This switch works the same way as the lutron macl dimmer – you tap once to brighten lights to preset level and if you tap it once more you get full brightness.
Lights fade down and up smoothly, gives your eyes time to adjust.
The coordinating wallplate is sold separately.
Will this work with LED bulbs? Yes, as long as the master switch is compatible with dimmable led bulbs.
Pros
•Price
•Easy and fast to install
•Many color choices
Cons
• Do you have old switches? Pay attention when removing wires from your old switches so that you get it right on the first try
• The instructions can be a bit confusing because they show multiple ways to wire a switch
You can use this Lutron MA-600 dimmer switch with incandescent and halogen bulbs. If you are looking for a dimmer to use with LEDs take a look at the dimmers above.
You can have full range dimming of your light from up to 10 locations if you use companion dimmers with this dimmer.
Features:
You can gradually fade lights on or off
It has also the very useful delayed fade-to-off, that allows you to
leave the room without running before the lights turn off
It`s going to depend on how many light fixtures you`re going to install, your location and are you going to you get a professional electrician or are going to do the work yourself.
If you are employing a professional electrician to wire in a single light fixture, including material and labor, it`s going to cost about $150 to $330 depending on your location. But if you pick the battery or plug-in powered lights, you can save money by installing it by yourself as a DIY project. If you choose the hardwired option it’s usually a better idea to leave the work to an electrician.
Cost factors:
Hiring an electrician: Licensed electricians can charge from $50-$100 an hour depending on experience level. But you can save money by doing the work yourself, but it is not a good idea if you are not used to working with electrical wiring.
How many light fixtures: Installing a large quantity of lights increases material costs. Although the cost per fixture perhaps is cheaper, as it is possible to take advantage of bulk purchase discounts and to arrange better price with an electrician.
Designer lights: If you pick high quality or designer lights it is going to increase your costs.
Type of Lights: Using simple lights that you screw in and then plug into an outlet or battery operated fixtures helps to keep costs down as you don’t need to get a professional electrician.
Rewiring: Changing the arrangement of your home’s electrical wiring requires a qualified electrician, and notably increases costs.
The Perfect Color Temperature For You
Under cabing lighting temperature
This is the most important thing about lighting. The color temperature of a light bulb will make it or break for the overall feel of a room. It should be selected very carefully based on what you use that space for.
Let`s go into detail – Take a kitchen for example, where you will be working with food and maybe cooking books, the best under cabinet lighting works as chore light. A good choice for kitchen is a cooler temperature and because it is brighter it make`s it easier for your eyes to see what you’re doing. For that reason you should get 4200K or higher for your kitchen.
But if you are thinking about adding under cabinet lighting to the cabinets in your restroom or bathroom, you should go with a warmer and more softer light. A good choice is something close to the color temperature produced by normal incandescent bulbs, maybe 2800k or below.
What is the CRI spec on LED strips?
CRI or color rendering index is a scale of how precisely a light illuminates objects true colors.
CRI is a vital measure for LED strips when the appearance of items is important such as, retail, photography, under cabinet lighting, and architectural lighting.
Take a look at the pictures below with different CRI value led lights, that should make things easier to understand.
98 CRI value led kitchen lightCRI value 72 kitchen led light
The led with higher CRI value produces a much more accurate light and items appear exactly as they would with natural lighting.
COUNTERTOP TYPE AND MATERIAL
The style and material of your countertop will influence the performance of your under cabinet lighting and can assist you to choose which type of lighting to pick:
If you have countertops with matte finish it`s going to reflect light more softly, and because of that it`s going to produce less glare, making it possible for you to choose a much wider range of under cabinet lighting options.
But if you have glossy countertops, such as granite, marble, slate or other type of stone material, it can make a lot of glare if the light is too bright. Your best choice is going to be lights with a much lower lumen value or a lens to help diffuse the light and decrease the amount of annoying reflection.
Light colored countertops reflect light and decrease the lumen value necessary to pull off a good lit under cabinet space.
Dark countertops are going to absorb much more of the light created by your under cabinet lighting. So you must pick a lighting source with a higher lumen value to make sure you are getting the right lighting volume.
Assembling and Installing Under Cupboard Lighting
The the best under cabinet lighting options and most common are surface and recessed-mount lights. Choosing between them is really a matter of personal taste and you really can`t go wrong with your choice.
Most available non-recessed surface mount lights are very thin and can be easily hidden, so you can be sure it will look great if you choose the non-recessed ones.
Anyhow, whether you pick the recessed or surface-mount light bulbs, there are just couple ways to install under cabinet lights and they are all pretty easy.
Important under cabinet lighting tip when installing
To avoid glare you should attach the light fixture to the front of the cabinet, just behind the frame and by doing this it helps angle the light toward the backsplash rather than out into the kitchen.
UNDER CABINET LIGHTING POWER SUPPLY
Battery
Plug-in
Hardwire
If you choose the plug-in or the battery-operated lights, the install is going to be a fast and easy do it yourself install.
Just consider that the if you choose the plug-in lights you must have access to an outlet.
And if you pick the battery-operated lights they must be easily reachable for you to once in a while switch out the batteries.
But if you choose the hardwired lights they will need to be installed by a professional electrician for your own safety.
Under cabinet lighting battery powered with remote control alternatives:
1. USB rechargeable under cabinet lighting
If you don`t want to use normal batteries, then there is the usb rechargeable under cabinet lightingoption. They can usually be used with a standard micro USB cable plug-in to your laptop or pc and some models comes with a handy remote control.
You can choose from fluorescent, xenon, halogen and LED bulbs. Energy saving LED bulbs are often used and are a natural choice for under cabinet lighting especially in kitchens because they emit almost no heat at all, this in turn helps to keep you cool and comfortable while you are for example cooking. LEDs are also very good choice for bathrooms because they are super durable and can operate well in very high humidity that you often find in bathrooms.
The design of lamp you choose is as important as the type of light. It is going to influence the overall look of your room, it is going to dictate how much light you get, and how good the fixture will be hidden by the cabinets.
Puck lights is versatile round lighting solution. Puck lights is often used to light up the inside of cabinets or as under cabinet chore lighting, and they create nice pools of light on a kitchen countertop. And they can be used for illuminating inside display cabinets or even special home decorations. If you have a small space where you want light then because of their compact shape they are a good choice.
They can mounted on a surface or recess mounted into your chosen spot. Most of them are battery operated and because of that they are handy to install, you just stick them to the underside of your cabinet and they can be mounted easily with tape. But there are also other power source options available (hardwire, plug-in) both line and low voltage puck lights.
You can choose from LED, xenon, halogen and fluorescent light sources.
Xenon puck lights is going to give you the most accurate color rendering and the softest and warmest light.
If you are looking for perfect colors, or you favour warm light to go with warmer colored rooms like orange or red, xenon puck lights is the way to go. They are much cooler than halogen and because of that they are safer to be used inside of a cabinet or a display stand.
Halogen puck lights produce light that is little more cooler than xenon. You should also take into account that halogen lights actually run a lot hotter. Halogen puck lights color rendering is totally as precise as xenon lights.
LED puck lights is going to save you energy and they last the longest.
You are gonna have to pay more for them, but the energy you save by using them will ensure that the LED puck lighting pays for itself over time.
One more good thing about the LEDs are that they also come in a collection of color temperatures, so you can fit them perfectly to whatever paint colors or other light fixtures you previously have.
They are also super easy to install if you don`t have any power source in your install space and because of that the battery operated LEDs could be a smart choice. They also have a good battery life because the LEDs are very energy-efficient.
Low Voltage Puck Lights
Puck lights are also available in either 12 or 24 volts. Usually you can find both xenon and LED puck lights that are low voltage. The incoming voltage from an electrical outlet is normally 120 volts, so low voltage lights must have a transformer to supply the correct voltage to the lights.
Puck lights are perfect for:
Rental spaces
Small spaces
Spaces without access to a plug
Where hard wiring is out of the question, too expensive or difficult
Task lighting
Installation Tips Puck Lights
How far apart should you space your puck lights?
It depends on your particular puck lighting project.
If you want your puck lights to serve as under cabinet lighting, you must first measure the cavity underneath every cabinet – it is the area that forms a hollowed out space.
It`s recommended that you install one puck light every 5-10 inches by this you overlap beam angles and create an even light without pooling.But if you want your lights illuminating collectibles or maybe some other type of exhibition stand, you should go for one light per shelf or per decorative item to make it look nice.
Tape lights are a perfect pick if you have a very shallow or flat under cabinet recess. They are a super fast and easy to install because of the peel and pick type adhesive and standard power plug. One more good thing about led strip lights is that they also stay cool, so you don`t get any unnecessary heat in your room.
Under cabinet lighting with cool color temperature under the cabinet and warm above the cabinet
Dimmable Led Strip Lights and non dimmable
If you want a flexible solution to your lighting needs, you should check out flexible and low profile LED tape lights, a.k.a. as LED ribbon or LED strip lights.
These exceptionally low profile LED lights can be taped anywhere with ease, and as if that weren’t helpful enough, they can even be cut into sections to suit your exact dimensions!
Tape lights are exceptionally thin, almost flat, and flexible, making them easy to hide.
Tape lights can be taped almost anywhere with no trouble and fit into unusual spots or tight locations like under your countertops.
If you want they can be cut into sections to suit your needs.
There is one drawback: each 16 ft / 5 metre section requires its own plug, making them more complicated to use for long projects.
Tape lights are ideal for:
Unusually shaped or tight spaces
Shallow recesses, under countertops
Accent lighting
Smaller sections (16 ft / 5m or less)
Decorative accent lighting over kitchen cabinets
Halo lighting around a mirror
You should also consider these things to make sure you pick precisely the right LED tape light and the required components that will enable it to operate as you had planned.
What is the location for your tape light and how much will you need?
Power source?
Which color do you want?
Do you want it to be dimmable?
How are you going to mount it?
Want to control it remotely?
1. Where Will You Use Your Tape Light?
If you choose to install indoors in a dry spot, outdoors in a more wet location or in a damp location like bathroom? If so, you should check the manufacturers guidance to make sure the tape light is damp or wet location approved.
2. How Much Tape Light Do You Need?
It`s going to depend on the size of your project, you may just need one long length of strip light or several different lengths of tape that you connect together, depending on if you have obstacles between two sections or not. First thing you should do is measure and record the length of each part.
3. What kind of power source will you use for the tape light installation?
A low voltage tape light is going to need an LED driver to give power. An LED driver is going to convert AC line power 120V or 277V to the suitable DC voltage usually 12V DC or 24V DC or regulates the current most regularly 350 or 700 milliamps or for your strip light. You might also want a driver that is dimmable.
Hardwired – is wired directly to the electrical power circuit in your home or building and is controlled by a switch or a dimmer.
Plug-In – is connected to an LED driver which you plug into an electrical outlet. If your tape light requires you to buy a separate LED Driver, check to make sure you get the right voltage 12 or 24V and that you have correctly estimated how much wattage you require.
Select an LED driver whose wattage is equal to or higher than the total wattage of the strip light being powered.
If you`re looking for something that is easy and fast to install then rope lights is something you should consider. Rope lights can also be easily removed if you want to change up things.
Led rope light kitchen
Installing led rope lights
Rope lights are easy to install, requiring a transformer and simple mounting clips.
They are not as thin as tape lights but they are however thin enough to stay concealed.
They are a little bit larger than strip lights and therefore cannot be bent at a 90 degree angle without damaging them. But they work good in rounded corners.
Rope lights are excellent for:
Accent lighting
Longer sections
Rental units
If you want to dim lights
Change light colors
Color changing led lights kitchen
Are rope lights safe?
LED rope lights do produce a little bit of heat, but they will be “cool to contact” when installed correctly, incandescent rope lights can get very hot and you should not use them where they can be rubbed against, which may accidentally cause burns.
These lamps are perfect for if you plan to use your under cabinet light for task lighting.
They are larger than puck lights and brighter than tape and rope lights and you can pick from several different lengths.
Strip lamps are available in:
Incandescents
Fluorescents
LED
Buying Tips for Strip Lamps
Make sure to get connectable fixtures if you are planning to install lighting along the full length of your cabinetry. This way they can all power off a single outlet.
Striplamps are perfect for:
Rooms with bad lighting
Spaces that only have ambient lighting
Task lighting
Strip lamp kitchen
Under cabinet lighting can uplift your home’s lighting scheme from average to superb and it can add personality and character to your room.
And extra lighting makes working in your kitchen easier and safer, and it is normally possible to install the lights in a short timeframe without significant remodeling.
Choosing a single product is a tough job when you have a lot of options to choose from.
Today we’re going to review great brand new products from Leviton.
It is a part of the Leviton smart family, this is specifically the Decora smart Wi-Fi devices and Leviton is the latest company to loosen its dependence on the hub, and it’s about time.
Why should you get Decora Smart Wi-Fi products?
Most of us can benefit from smart lighting. Everybody of us have left lights on, or walked into a totally dark house. Smart lighting allows you to switch those lights on and off from nearly anywhere using a smartphone, as well as use an app to set schedules so the lights will for example, power on and off automatically based on fixed times of day.
Leviton DW1KD-1BZ Decora Smart,1000W Incandescent/450W LED Dimmer
Leviton DW6HD-1BZ Decora Smart, 600W Incandescent / 300W LED Dimmer
So we’re going to take a look at the devices individually today, as well as what the app looks like and the performance that we can expect out of these great new products from Leviton.
“The problem is that the if previous buyer returned the item and did not De-register the device from their My Leviton account, the device fails to set-up”
Leviton highly values their customer’s security and privacy and for those reasons they cannot reset a device.
The first device that we are going to have a look at is the:
This is great for let’s say your coffee maker to turn that on and off and it also works perfect say for example a standing fan. Installation is easy into existing residential applications and remember to read the instructions to avoid any unnecessary problems with the installation. One thing that can cause problems are if you don`t keep the apps updated, but just keep it updated and you should be fine.
Let`s look at the features:
White and Light Almond color faces included
Rated for dimmable CFL and LED loads up to 300W
Rated for incandescent loads up to 600W
Soft fade on/off
On/off LED (bottom) and Brightness Level LED
Multi-location (3-way) dimming is achieved using up to 4 remote units, DD00R-DLZ.
Hot, neutral, load and ground required for installation and traveler for muilti-switch applications optional.
One of the best smart outlets
300 watts of LED/CFL, 600W incandescent as well as 1800 watts of inductive or resistive loads and 9.8 amps of a motor load. So it’s a great on and off device – appliance model.
Pros
•Z-Wave Plus certified
•Compatible with popular hubs including SmartThings and Wink
This next device from Leviton is a 300 watt incandescent dimmer as well as 100 watt CFL and LED lamp dimmer.
So it’s great for a free-standing lamp and maybe in the let’s say the
corner of the the living room or on the other side of the bedroom, great device for that.
This decora smart plug is great solution say for example if you have a free standing floor lamp that only have an on/off switch on the cord that is hard to reach.
Using a Smarthings app with decora smart plug?
Simply plug the Levitron unit into an outlet, then plug the light into the unit. And you are now able to turn on and off and set the dimming level up and down from the SmartThings app.
Z-Wave and Decora smart set up
Set up is super easy, get your Z-Wave controller in inclusion mode, and then press the button on the front of the decora device and it pairs.
This one is a 1000 watt incandescent dimmer that’s also rated for 450 watts of CFL and LED.
This one is also rated at thousand volt amps for mark 10 ballasts as well as thousand volt amps for magnetic low voltage.
This is a great device for some of those high inrush current type loads that we would sometimes expect with LEDs and
CFLs .
Pros
•Use it with Alexa without purchasing an expensive hub
•Instructions are well written
•Programmable dim delay
Cons
•Requires Neutral Wire
Usually, you can tell if you have a Neutral in your wall box if there are 2 or more white wires connected together with a wire connector in the wall box.
Then we have a 600 watt incandescent or 300 watt CFL,
LED dimmer. It saves you a couple dollars compared to the thousand watt if you are dimming a whole bunch of rooms in your home.
This will be great for let’s say our shop lights where we have a garage we can go ahead and turn those lights on and off.
Don`t like the glowing status led?
You can set the “My Leviton” app to control the action of the status LED. You can use three different led modes: LED Off (always off), Status Mode (LED on only when the lights are on), Locator Mode (LED always on).
Pros
•Works with Google Assistant for voice control
Cons
•Don`t buy used devices “The problem is that the if previous buyer returned the item and did not De-register the device from their My Leviton account, the device fails to set-up”
No hub required – No hardware to hide
Now as we look at the specific devices that I review today, what you’ll kind of notice is that you don’t need to have a controller – there’s no HUB and that’s what makes these products unique and absolutely special within the industry today.
It’s a hubless solution it simply uses Wi-Fi or your wireless access
point in the home to control these devices.
So when you go ahead and control your dimmer, turn it on or turn it off, you`re simply talking to your Wi-Fi access point that’s above you right to the device itself.
How to install leviton decora smart switch
When we look at the actual physical setup on a Decora smart family of devices, specifically the Wi-Fi, we’ll also see this in the decora smart z-wave devices as well and in the home kit. What you’ll notice is a few special things:
The first thing I want to point out is the indicator LEDs, oh wait, you
don’t see them because they’re actually hidden.
Hidden indicator led
But when you go ahead and press anything on the dimmer itself, if you press it off for example, now you actually see the indicator LEDs, if you go ahead and lower that down you’ll actually see where your dim level is at.
Indicator LEDs on + level switch
Press it off it goes away, so no more bright LEDs that
are maybe in a bedroom that we want to keep super dark.
Preset dimmer level
Preset dim levels
Another great feature that you’ll see has been built in Leviton dimmers for many years which is a great feature is, you can actually set the level that you want the light to turn on before you actually turn the lighting load on.
This is great if you’re walking into the bedroom, maybe somebody is asleep and you don`t want to turn on super-bright – maybe the baby is sleeping.
So we can actually adjust the lighting level to maybe a lower lighting level before we turn on the light and now we’re not going to wake up somebody.
Don`t pay for leakage
What makes Leviton really smart with not only their lamp dimmer, but the in-wall devices as well specifically the dimmers, is what
Leviton is calling “off is off technology” what that means is when you shut the device off like right now, there is no current leakage whatsoever that’s happening.
No current leakage
You will see zero volt if you put a meter between the load terminal and neutral.
This is super important, I can’t stress how enough how important this is with regards to LEDs and CFLs.
Glowing leds
I’m sure you’ve seen an LED or CFL maybe on one device or two devices on that load that flickers or stays on or glows for example.
Well let’s check out leviton’s no glow technology.
So right now I have just a lamp that’s hooked up to my lamp dimmer for example. That lamp module I can turn on or turn it off very easily.
I want to show you what this actually can do, so if I unplug my lamp and I’m going to use Levitons night light bulb, we’re going to plug that in to my lamp module right now and I can go ahead and turn on my 1 watt incandescent light.
1 watt night light Leviton
I can go ahead and actually dim that device down, to a very low level or off.
dimmed down
This shows you the performance factor from Leviton.
Off means off, there’s no current leakage whatsoever that’s happening here so you’re not going to see that glow or
that flickering on a small LED load.
Leviton dimmer turned off
What I mean by that is, let’s say I have somebody else`s dimmer for example.
Now this device is actually set to OFF, you see how that’s glowing right now, that might be an LED or CFL that’s actually flickering or is glowing up in the ceiling and won’t ever shut off.
glowing bulb when dimmer is turned off
So leviton’s off means off technology is absolutely fantastic when it comes to performance that you would expect out of a great product.
Leviton app features you can use
What we’re going to do next is actually take a look at the app and some of the great features that are a part of that.
Leviton and iPad
Let’s take a look at the app, as I mentioned this is a hubless solution, you don’t need any special software or any special computer to set this up, all we going to need is either a smartphone for example or an iPad.
I’ll show you on the iPad because it’s a little bit easier to see.
So the app that we’re going to utilize that you can download from the App Store or Google Play is called “My Leviton” you’ll need a login, if you haven’t logged in before it’s going to ask you to sign up.
So sign up and once you see it first when you first log in is the actual connected devices.
Connected devices on My leviton app
So this is my lamp module for example, I can toggle these devices on and off just by tapping the bulb image and it`s super fast and again this is all Wi-Fi based. My 600 watt dimmer I can go ahead and toggle on and off as well.
And maybe I want to go to a different dim level, so I’ll drop that down.
Adjusting brightness on decora dimmer app
We can actually go ahead and adjust the brightness level very easily
and it’s super quick.
Now what else is really cool is you can go into the device details.
At the bottom here is my actual lamp dimmer. Press the device details, select settings and when I select settings what you can see is a whole new feature set of really performance enhancing options.
Device settings decora smart
That allows us to really dial in for maybe the specific LED that we’re using.
Status LED
Things like the status LED. That’s my actual indicator LED for
what that LED is going to do. Maybe I want my status indicator or my status LED to show me when my device is on and off or maybe I want it on all the time, so we can adjust that.
We can adjust the turn-on level, so when I turn my device
on what level does that go to.
I can also adjust my fade rates, I can adjust my fade rates to maybe 2, 3, 5, 25 seconds or whatever I want my fade rate to be.
Fade rate
Maybe you want to adjust the fade rate to ten seconds so it takes a little while longer to turn on, so you don`t get that harsh effect when you first turn that light on.
Get the best performance – select bulb type
What else is really good with these leviton smart switch products is that you can select the bulb type, maybe you
have a CFL or an LED that will help out with the performance dimming.
Adjust the lights to perfection
You can also adjust your minimum and maximum lighting levels and you`re maybe asking why is that important? The reason that’s important is specifically for LEDs and CFLs, where I want to trim that – Now I can trim maybe a lower end LED that doesn’t perform so great, now I can go ahead and actually trim that bottom end, so it feels like I get a full dimming range out of that LED. These are really handy features that you can use and adjust your lights to perfection.
Leviton app activity tab set up
On the main page there is an activity option and there you can see your connected devices and if you don`t have any listed you can simply click and add your devices. It’s real simple, first you name it, maybe this is an “all off activity” and so what I want to do is add some devices for “all off mode”.
Just select your devices: 600 watt dimmer, lamp module and
what levels you want those to actually go to. Select your lamp module to off, appliance module to off as well or any a actual devices on your list what levels you do want them to go to when you actually activate that option.
A great feature is also that you can actually try what your activity is. So you can try it before you actually save it.
Scheduling your dimmer switch by location
Absolutely fantastic feature, again as mentioned scheduling is built right into the devices. What the app is asking for is, it wants to know your location. Why is that important? It’s important because that your location is going to dictate when sunrise and when sunset is. You simply just allow the app to find your location and now you can setup a specific schedule.
Leviton app schedule time
Now you can set up the specific time when you want it to start, whether it’s at sunrise, at sunset, before sunrise, before sunset or a specific time.
You can also select the days of the week for that schedule to run. Very easy to set up, thanks to decora smart Wi-Fi devices from Leviton.
Wrapping it up
After flipping all sorts of switches, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Leviton decora smart family switches are of a very high quality. It’s a reliable performer that offers additional features not found on many competing products. The good dimming feature and that it`s hub free makes it a hassle free product to use.
Making a list of best outdoor smart led bulbs 2019 is a difficult job for sure. The cost versus quality argument is the first thing you deal with. All the same, the specs should be your top priority, ideally.
In this review, we will go into every aspect of these outdoor smart led lights and find out whether it’s worth your money.
We`ll take a closer look at these product categories:
Remote controlled outdoor dimmable smart led bulbs and non-dimmable smart led bulbs.
You can use your smartphone, amazon alexa, ipad or any other smart device to control the outdoor smart led bulb.
The smart led bulb installs as effortlessly as a standard light bulb and connects very fast to your home Wi-Fi or any other smart device you choose to control it with.
I`ve played around with more than 20 smart light bulb systems over the years and after all that, I determined that the 5 I listed here is the best all around smart LED bulbs.
With Ilumi you can change your lighting color super easily and it also does everything the other smart light bulbs do, and it is also part of a wider product and app-system, that gives you more room for flexibility and creativity than any other smart bulb I have used. It is not the cheapest bulb I used, but its reliable performance and wide usability does make it a good choice for any smart home.
What`s so smart with these outdoor smart led bulbs then? Let`s have a look what they can do.
You can control your lighting from anywhere. You can manage your lights with your tablet or smartphone in no time with the free (Kasa app) or another app depending of the manufacturer, TP – Link uses the Kasa app.
What other tricks does the smart outdoor led light bulb got up its sleeve?
Some of the smart led bulb features you can use are:
•Adjusting brightness and color
•Setting schedules and scenes
•Track energy used
If you don`t feel like using your phone or pad for controlling the outdoor dimmer, then you can try the voice control, you can use your voice to control the bulb when paired with Amazon Alexa.
Installation of the led smart bulb
Well there´s really no complex installation procedure, just screw in the new led smart bulb and wait for it to blink 3 times, and finish the set up by using the TP-Link Kasa app.
Pros
•Lifetime 22.8 Years
•Easy to install
•Dimmable
Cons
•Price (over normal bulb)
Although it’s not inexpensive, this outdoor smart led bulb offers a few impressive features for the price!
The Ilumi Smart led has also some cool built in effects. Check out this brief overview below that gives a bit more detail about the unique effects that ilumi can offer:
Want to sync your ilumi smart led light bulb to music?
Bring the music and party to new heights – Yes this bulb can be synced with your music, so you can shake it til the break of dawn.
Best color changing led bulb?
Just use the free ilumi app to sync your led lights to your music from your phone or pad to get synchronized color effects to every beat for amazing outdoor parties. You can choose from 16 million different colors and if that`s not enough, there`s also 2000K to 8000K in white color range. Plus you can add more smart lights for even bigger effects.
Does this smart led bulb work with a tradional light switch?
Yes it does and because each light has a built in clock and battery – it remembers its colors and schedule even when used with a traditional light switch.
Want a weatherproof smart led color bulb?
The ilumi outdoor flood light carries an IP64 rating specifically for use outdoors so you can keep lights on – Rain or shine.
It`s built to withstand snow, thunderstorms, sprinklers and because of that you can place it nearly anywhere outside. And if that was not enough – It also has UV Coating to protect it from the sun. The manufacturer has really thought about everything with this led.
This smart led helps you with your home security
Automation, of set dates and times, to fit a schedule
Are you going away and are you worried about the safety of your house? Just switch on the vacation mode and your ilumi led outdoor smart light will turn on and off at random while you are away.
Pros
•Many features
•Music sync
•Dimmable
Cons
•Price?
A high quality remote controlled dimmable smart led bulb
Ilumi outdoor led light is not just a smart bulb; it is a complete smart system. The color-adjustable E26 / E27 base bulbs can remake the look of your home`s exterior in seconds. Multiple app options and device compatibility makes it one of the best overall choices.
12W Smart Automatic Dusk to Dawn LED Bulbs with Auto on/off, Indoor / Outdoor Lighting Lamp for Porch, Hallway, Patio, Garage (E26/E27, 1200lumen, Warm White)
The MINGER Sensor Light Bulb has been my choice for led light on installation jobs where the customer wanted something cheap but reliable.
With this led, you get the automatic switch on at dusk and off at dawn. It does not really get any easier than with this led bulb. The led turns on when it gets less than 15Lux and it turns off when there is more than 40Lux. The built in sensor works great and it`s a hazzle free product. You’ll install it fast and easy – just simply screw into any standard E26/27 light fixture or socket. No worries with wires or additional motion detection fixtures.
The sensor is not rotable, as in almost all smart bulbs, but that is not a problem. From experience I can tell that the bulb works fine even in outdoor fixtures with bubbly glass, so the sensor is really high quality.
Bright led light for outdoor
This 12W led bulb is equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent bulb and it`s mercury free too. If you want a bright light this should be your choice. There is also a 7W version available.
Pros
•Very bright
•Mercury free
•Automatic dusk to dawn
•365 day warranty
Cons
•No multicolor
Be sure to watch out for knock-off imitations that are popping up as of late.
This is the Luxon smart outdoor led with the handy radar. Before we begin looking at just how good the Luxon smart bulb is, there are some obvious things you should know about this led:
The Luxon 5w is unique in that sense that it is equipped with LED RADAR SENSOR.
The motion sensor bulb is a radar sensor light bulb, it’s much more responsive, sensitive, more penetrating than infrared sensor led. And because of that, the Luxon led light bulb can penetrate: glass, veneer and walls to detect the motion within 19-26ft.
You can install the led in any angle you want- upward, downward, it will still operate perfect because of the built in smart radar.
The led radar bulb can also detect the pets, therefore the radar sensor bulb will turn on when it is detecting any small object that is moving. Plus it has the dusk to dawn sensor.
The packaging is sturdy with the bulb protected well in a plastic mold, so you don`t need to worry for a defective product on arrival.
One of the best led light bulbs for outdoor fixtures
The entry-level GE Link smart bulb (which can often be found for $20 to $25) gives you the most brightness for your money , it puts out 900 lux and the color is quite warm (3000K Bright White).
The dimmable GE outdoor led bulbs is good option, if you want to dim outdoor lights but don`t want to use a dimmer switch to dim with.
Do you need programmable led lights?
How to program led lights?
It`s easier than it sounds.
One smart thing with these LEDs are the shortcuts you can create.
You can make scenes, shortcuts for example: “Watch a movie” or “Reading in bed” with your phone. You just click on your prefered shortcut and you can make lights dim, brighten, turn on and turn off.
GE 3000K Bright White led
If you don’t need a color led and the millions of colors to choose from, then this GE led is a perfect choice.
Do led lights work in cold weather?
Absolutely! And this GE bulb performs well in cold climate.
The best outdoor light bulbs for cold weather you can choose are LEDs
Do you get below freezing temperatures on numerous nights during winter?
Then you want a led bulb that has a longer life and not a incandescent bulb and another great thing about this GE link smart bulb is that it lasts 22 years with an estimated energy cost of only $1.57 per year.
The advantage of LED is the extra long lifespan and plus they have no problem to light up in very cold temperatures. In fact, LEDs get more efficient as the ambient temperature gets lower.
How to install the GE link led bulb?
With all that specification information out of the way, what do you need to get up and running with these bad boys?
You just need one of these:
A smartphone
A Wink Hub
or Amazon Alexa if you want voice control
and a GE Link bulb
It is also compatible with amazon Echo, smartthings hub or any other zigbee rated device.
That’s it. Once you have got that all purchased, the setup process is simple:
Setup your Wink Hub. You can do it easily through the Wink app. Just enter your Wi-Fi information, then automatically send that to your brand new hub and then it will be good to go.
One more important thing to check is that after connecting your Wink Hub, be sure to check for updates. People often forget checking for updates and that can cause problems when trying to pair the bulbs (I learned it the hard way).
Once you got that out of the way, you just add your bulb. Wink has comfortably added a GE Link option to the list of supported lighting options. Just select that and it will walk your through the setup and then you basically screw the bulb in and turn the light on. It will blink 3 times and then you can name it.
Light bulb color temperature is represented in the unit of absolute temperature, Kelvin and illustrated by the symbol K.
It is measured in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000
Color Temperature Chart
Kelvin Temperature Led
2700K – Homes, Restaurants, Hotel lobbies, Boutiques
3000K – Libraries, Office Areas, Retail Stores
4100K – Showrooms, Bookstores, Office Areas
5000K – Museums, Jewelry Stores, Hospitals
5600K – Used to Simulate Outdoor Conditions
Bulbs Have Vastly Different Color Temperatures
Many people are familiar with “cool” white or “warm” white light led bulbs. These bulbs have vastly different color temperatures.
Warm white led bulbs
The “warm” white light bulb often has a color temperature of up to 2800K. It imparts a more orange/red light on objects. Because you normally associate warmth with red or orange objects, this accounts for the “warm” descriptive name, even though it is a cooler temperature on the Kelvin scale.
Halogen White Led
Halogen White bulbs fall within the range of 2800K to 3500K. They impart a clear, white light with very little red or blue tones.
Cool White Led
A “cool” white bulb commonly has a color temperature of 3600K to 4900K. This is in the low range of blue color, similar to ice. Hence, the “cool” adjective.
Full Spectrum Led
Full Spectrum Bulbs have a color temperature of 5000K and above. They impart a bright, white light that makes all colors stand out. Be sure that the bulb you choose for full spectrum applications says “Full Spectrum” as all full spectrum bulbs are 5000K and above but not all 5000K and above bulbs are “Full Spectrum”.
Daylight Led
Bulbs that are 5600K and up are considered Daylight bulbs. These bulbs offer a clean, bright light.
Decorating Trick To Brighten Up Your Home
Color Temperature Can Affect the Way Things Look in Your House
If you decorate with reds, browns, and oranges, you want to illuminate these rooms with bulbs that have a color temperature in the 2750 – 3000K range. Conversely, if you happen to like green or blue colors, light these rooms with bulbs that produce color temperatures of 4000K or above.
And while full spectrum lighting sounds good in theory, many will find this type of lighting too harsh for overall home lighting applications. It’s best to install full spectrum bulbs in those fixtures that are used when you need to differentiate between colors.
What is the Perfect Color Temperature for Residential Interiors?
Most people prefer around 2700K – 3000K for a warm, cozy, romantic, and sheltered experience.
The cost to install a light switch or an outlet is at an average of around $130. Most homeowners pay between $90 and $195 for the service depending on the location.
Customer reviews of Light Switch Replacements on Amazon
The cost to replace switches and outlets the greatest variable will be labor. Certain types take more time to fit and wire. Basic switches does not take as much time and will cost less.
Expect a flat initial rate, labor, materials and supplies. Electricians typically bundle the cost of supplies and parts into either a flat rate or your estimate.
It is a quick job, but you will still gain from a professional installation.
Faulty wiring or placement could lead to failed inspections and could end up costing you in replacement job.
The hourly rate for an electrician is$50-$100 and you should make the most of that price by bundling other electrical jobs with the work.
It’s a smart move to bundle as many electrical jobs as you have into one trip. If you’re changing many of your light switches out for dimmers or to decorative kinds, it would be smart to do all of them at once. So consider getting all of your electrical work done at once to save money in the long run.
Some companies will allow homeowners to provide their own materials, but the cost of those materials will not vary greatly.
Professional vs DIY Outlet and Light Switch Installation
If you’re thinking about replacing light switches in your home, the first thing to do is find a licensed electrician.
Licensed and certified professionals are well-versed in local codes, laws and the latest technology in the industry.
They can help you to maximize on your upgrade or your installation.
Professional electricians can make sure that everything is up to code, which means that you’ll pass home inspections and rest easy.
Though the process seems straightforward and the expense of hiring an electrical professional could seem needless.
There are many DIY guides out there for performing this work, but every situation is different, and an expert may find something that the guides did not mention.
For example, your wiring may be too old and need an upgrade to meet new safety codes. This is specially difficult to recognize if you don`t have an electrical background.
Even the most basic electrical tasks are complex and dangerous, so it’s best to go with the pros if you don`t know what you`re doing.
cost for electrician to install outlet
Where to find an electrician near you
You can do your own research and reach out to trusted local electricians.
Or you can take a shortcut and find reputable electricians in your area and hire from Amazon Services for a faster, safer and more efficient install.
What is Amazon Services?
You can easily find experienced light switch replacement pros on Amazon Home Services and you’ll get a professional light switch replacement service at good price.
It`s a smart idea to hire a professional to service your light switch replacement project for these reasons:
It`s going to make sure the light switch replacement is done correctly and safely for your home.
It is the most well planned way to finish your light switch replacement project.
The pro will have the right tools and experience to make your light switch replacement as fast and smooth as possible.
Upfront prices on outlet and light switch installations
The pre-packaged services have upfront prices, so there are no negative surprises for you.
Home Safety – Background check on technicians
Every technician that services Amazon customers in their homes or business must pass a criminal background check before undertaking the program and that includes:
Social security number trace
County and federal court searches
National criminal search
Sex offender registry search
Office of Foreign Asset Control’s (OFAC) check
Amazon runs a comprehensive check on each business and take into consideration the following:
State and local business registration
Liens
Judgments
Bankruptcy status
National governmental restricted or prohibited dealings lists, including the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List
About the Amazon Home Services Happiness Guarantee
You can buy with confidence anytime you purchase a service on the Amazon website.
Amazon guarantees service standard when you buy services from Amazon Home Services.
And If the service was not finished according to the final scope agreed through Amazon’s systems, or if your product or home was damaged as a direct result of the job, they will work with you and the pro to correct the problem or they will give you your money back.
Light Switch Installation Cost Estimates
Light switches of various types average $3-$20 each and $90-$195to install.
When a switch malfunctions or is out-of-date, replacing it can be pretty easy and only cost $90-$195.
Fixes or upgrades to other styles will push that rate upward, both in price of materials and labor fees. Double pole styles, for example, have more complex wiring and will demand more time and work.
Cost for dimmers. Dimmer switches can cost closer to $200 to replace. The price will be almost the same if a single pole type is being upgraded to another style, such as dimmer or double pole.
Moving or Relocating Outlets and Switches
Relocating will average $100-$150 and is dependent on a number of factors. If the electrician needs to cut into the wall or do any repair to the drywall afterwards, the overall expense will go up. Material costs will be the smallest factor in the final price. Some homeowners move these units for added convenience and adapt to a new layout in their home. Others do so during a remodel, especially if they are removing or adding a new wall.
Cost for different types of Electrical Switches
The cost to install a 3 or 4-way switch is different than the cost to install a standard one. The more complicated the switch you pick, the more expensive the material and labor will be. The total charge will average $100-$200 per switch.
Single Pole – $1-$15 each: The most simple and easy-to-install style. Controls just one electrical fixture.
Double Pole – $10-$20 each: Controls two fixtures from one location, featuring two toggles or rockers per unit.
3 Way – $3-$15 each: Controls one fixture at two locations and has a more complex installation process.
4 Way – $10-$25 each: Controls one fixture from three locations.
Dimmer Switch $10-$25 each: You can adjust brightness to fit your needs and can be found in single, 3-way and smart switches.
Smart Light Switches – $45-$150 each: You can program and control switches with schedules. You can control it with a smart device. Can be installed in place of a switch. There are also plug adapters that simply plug into outlets.
The G9 LED bulbs are the perfect choice to make when it comes to lightning up any of your living spaces. Whether it is your office or your home, these are suitable to be placed in any of the areas.
The bulb is perfect for chandeliers, ceiling lamps, wall lamps, desk lamps with G9/GU9 plug-in lamp socket.
Pros
The brightness and the color tone of the bulb is extremely convenient for most users.
It comes in a pack of six in order to offer better quality as well as quantity for the customers.
It consumes less power as compared to the other products that claim to offer similar features.
Fits perfectly in different living spaces in your home.
It offers the greatest amounts of lumens for a G9 LED bulb.
Cons
6-pack
Just two colors warm and cool white
One important thing is that these can take a lot of your budget. That is why it is extremely important for you to choose the right product out of all the ones that are available. What`s more annoying than installing your LED and it flickers?
Check out this review to make sure that you are getting the best value for your money so you don`t end up with the low quality LEDs that are available in masses.
About the ENUOTEK GU9 Small Corn Capsule LED Light bulb
There surely are a huge number of aspects that are kept in mind while comparing different products. This is to make sure that the product you are choosing happens to offer you the best qualities in order to make its purchase totally worth it. One such product that you can try out is the brightest, and excellent GU9 LED Small corn capsule light bulb by Enuotek. I`ve been using these LEDs in a 6-branch chandelier for almost 2 years now and they still shine like brand new.
These bulbs are extremely different from the old light bulbs and use the modern technique and technology to work efficiently.
They are a very convenient source to get the super extra bright light and without the use of excessive energy of course. The LED is available in 5W, 7W and 11W.
Best gu9 g9 led light bulb
There surely are a huge number of different kind of usages that you can easily get with the help of these LED bulbs.
Let`s focus on the 11W that I`ve been using for a while now.
The bulbs use innovative modern lighting technology in order to help the user offering them a great bright light in all surroundings all the time.
Things to consider about the G9/GU9 LED Small Corn Capsule Light Bulbs
In this part of the article, we have mentioned some of the things that the G9 GU9 LED Small Corn Capsule Light Bulbs has in store for you so let`s go over the details.
The size of the device is suitable for most users.
It consumes less power in order to offer you better results.
The features provided by the device are known to be durable and long-lasting.
The numbers of lumens used in the device are balanced in order to offer the best results to the customers.
It has a very natural color temperature.
The style of the device is quite unique and according to the needs of the users.
Features of the GU9 LED Small Corn Capsule Light Bulbs
Features surely play an extremely important role in deciding the worth of a particular product.
It helps us to understand various advantages of the product as well as to get an idea about what we are investing in.
This will help you to get an idea about the features offered by the product and if or not it is worth spending your money in.
The device comes along with a ceramic lamp body as well as excellent heat resisting qualities.
The product has the standard G9 base for the lamp.
The size of the LED bulb is approximately 6.3 cm in the length and approx 1.77 cm in the diameter.
The LED bulb is compatible with the US voltage and requires at least AC 110-120V for working properly.
It uses the 74X SMD2835 LED lighting source to offer the best quality.
The brightness of the LED bulb is 1000Lm and has the cool color white that is 6000k. It consumes 11W of power for proper working.
The device is of the non-dimmable kind and comes in the pack of six G9 LED bulbs.
It has a beam angle of 360 degrees in order to offer complete brightness and light in the whole room without any kind of problem.
It has the color rendering index of CRI>80 for good natural colors.
Final Verdict
A little pricey but you get what you pay for, a really well-built bright LED. Also, if you decide to buy it make sure to purchase the LED bulbs only from an authorized dealer to avoid bad copies.
Dimming lights without a dimmer is possible. It`s easy, fast and very affordable.
You basically got three options if you want to dim your light bulbs without a dimmer.
Dimming lights bulbs without a dimmer options:
Sceneswitch bulbs
Smart bulbs
DIY project (which I don`t recommend)
Number one and best option is Sceneswitch bulbs which I do recommend. These light bulbs work with your existing light switch on the wall and on regular lamp fixtures. For full review check below.
Third option: DIY project is something I don`t recommend. Yes you can build a dimmable bulb with a diode but it can be very dangerous because of the electric shock risk.
DIY dimmer switch I don`t recommend this option
Philips SceneSwitch Review
I’ve got a pretty interesting product to review today. One that I almost wrote off but then upon second glance I was like you know this is actually pretty cool. This is the Philips scene switch LED bulb.
The Philips scene switch LEDs don’t work with traditional dimmer switches but they also don’t need traditional dimmer switches.
You got three brightness options with the sceneswitch bulb and you don`t need a dimmer
They’ll work with any old lamp or regular light switch.
This reminds me a lot of old-fashioned three-way light bulbs that had three different brightness levels but instead of brightness levels this bulb has three different color temperatures or shades of white light.
Different activities require different light settings
You can change brightness settings just by turning the bulb off and back on. They’re a bit like common three-way bulbs except you don’t need a 3-way compatible lamp in order to use them.
Color temperature for dimming without a dimmer
Color temperatures for your home
Now if you’re not familiar with what color temperature means, let me just review for you real quick.
This philips bulb is the scene switch bulb at 2700 K.
Soft white 2700K – dimmer switch built in bulb
Color settings without a dimmer
Kelvin is the scale,from blue on the cooler side and higher numbers
to warm on the lower side with lower numbers.
Kelvin is just the degree number that everything is measured in for color temperatures.
The above light bulb setting is soft white which is what we’ve been used to with incandescent lighting for the longest time.
This bulb will also switch to daylight white which definitely has a much more blue look to it. And that’s again on the higher side
of the Kelvin scale kind of what you would expect to see at like noon in broad daylight outside.
daylight 5000K sceneswitch setting
You can definitely see the bluish light if you compare to the former one that is the warmer soft white kind of a more yellowish light.
You can make the light bulb less bright – Night light mode
This also has one more setting, the third setting
is 2200 Kelvin and it also dims the light down to about 15% brightness.
2200K candle light setting scene switch option
So the different light options you have with this bulb are:
Soft white, daylight white(more bluish) and cozy warm glow.
You don`t need to use any apps, controllers or home automation it’s all built into the bulb for under 10 dollars which is great because you don’t have to buy multiple bulbs to get different types of color temperature of your light.
And you don’t have to buy dimmers, you don’t have to do any of that
if you want something really simple this bulb may be the bulb for you.
Now let`s dim it down and take the shade off so you can see the what the bulb looks like.
sceneswitch bulb
It looks like a standard LED bulb and it’s pretty much exactly what their other bulbs by philips look like.
I’ve got another one here this is one of their hue bulbs
that is just a white bulb and very similar in design and shape.
philips hue looks like this
Heat testing the bulb
This review wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t do some testing for heat temperature of the bulb.
So we’ll look at the bulb shell itself which is about 105 degrees and it’s been running for a while so that’s not too bad.
The heat sink itself on the bottom which is metal of course gets much warmer about 130 degrees.
How to dim a lamp
The first light option that you get when flipping the switch on is a yellow soft light, flipping the switch again gives you a daylight more bluish light and when you hit the switch again you get a warm glow light. Settings are comparable to a 60 watt bulb, a 40 watt bulb and a nightlight bulb.
Energy saver
It’s an energy-efficient bulb at 9.5 watts, 8 watts and 3 watts. Respectively for the different soft white, daylight white and super cozy warm glow mode.
Life time of sceneswitch bulb and warranty
These are not specifically designed to last as long as other regular LED bulbs. Normal led bulbs without scene selection will last you 20 to 25 years.
This sceneswitch LED bulbs is supposed to last about 13.7 years probably just due to the change in technology that they’re generating these different colors of light.
Philips has a standard 5 year warranty on the bulb that you can double to ten years . You just simply register the bulb online within 60 days of purchase at their website and you’ll get 10 years of warranty out of it.
The companies are usually pretty good about replacing the bulbs if
they go out within the warranty period, so I think that’s a smart move to register to get the 10 years warranty.
Brightness confirmed
All three of them nailed my lighting tests. At the brightest setting each one exceeds the stated 800 lumens, so they offer plenty of light.
These bulbs deliver 800 lumens or 60 watt equivalent light output at the soft white and daylight white.
And then about 80 lumens and 3 watts when you want to create a kind of a cozy warm glow.
Smart features
A really good feature is that once you turn it off and you wait at least five seconds and you turn it back on it will resume its last setting.
So you don’t have to worry about flipping it on and off a bunch of times the next time you turn it back on so it has some smart features built into it as well but not for the smart bulb price.
Sum Up
If you’re looking for something simple not like the advanced home automation stuff with Philips hue and all the more expensive color-changing, this may be something for you in terms of if you don’t want to deal with dimmers, don’t want to install special stuff and just have on/off functionality.
If you use one to replace a 60 watt incandescent it’ll pay for itself in energy savings in just over a year, then continue saving you money for years to come.
These are outstanding bulbs and an absolute no-brainer if you want
to dim the lights down low but you don’t want to rewire your switches or spend money on costly smart bulbs.
Standard non-dimmable LEDs can be had for a few dollars less
and if you don’t care about the sceneswitch feature then they’re probably the better buy.
But I think the sceneswitch bulbs are worth it and deserving winners if you want to easily dim your lights without a dimmer.
Are you planning on doing some Basic House Wiring? Well then it might be a good idea to read and follow these 14 DIY home wiring safety tips.
Your safety should not be compromised and some basic house wiring rules need to be followed first.
You can save a lot of money by doing your own house wiring. But home wiring is not a DIY chore that should be undertaken unless you are confident you know what you are doing.
No matter how often you may have carried out home wiring jobs, never forget the dangers of electricity and never be tempted to take risks by failing to take precautions or use the proper tools or protection.
When installing any type of wire or wiring system, there is always a risk involved. Hurting yourself, someone else or loss of property if the wires are not properly installed are some of the dangers involved. Preparation is key to safety.
There are however proactive measures that can be taken when you are working with or installing wires.
The following safety tips can guide you to make sure your home wiring project goes smoothly and safely.
Basic House Wiring Rules
Power off. Before doing any electrical work, make sure the power is off at the breaker. If possible make sure everyone in the area knows it is turned off for a reason. Leave a note to say you are working on the circuit and tape the circuit breaker into the off position. It may seem logical but it’s critical for a safe work environment.
electrical work safety power off
Test. A voltage tester is a cheap life insurance policy when working with high voltage.So use a voltage tester something like a Klein Dual Voltage Tester to make sure wires or electrical connections are dead before you start working with them.
house wiring safety 101
Take care what you touch. This tip is something many don`t think about. You should never touch plumbing or gas pipes while working with electricity and it`s because they are many times used to ground electrical systems.
DIY house wiring safety tip
Plan ahead. It`s usually smart to have a work plan so that you know precisely where the outlets, switches and fixtures are going to be placed before you start. And this also allows you to look over that you have got the proper tools and materials.
DIY wiring planning tips
The right tools. It`s a lot easier and faster to complete your wiring if you make sure you have got all the tools you require and always use the suitable tools.I always use insulated tools while working. Tools you are going to need at a minimum:
Long-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Electric drill
Fish tape also known as a draw wire
Cable stripper
Wire and cable strippers
Colored tape
Voltage tester
Continuity tester
Right-angle drill
DIY wiring tool tips
The right materials. This one is obvious, you are going to need depending on your project the necessary materials:
Switches
Junction boxes
Wire connectors
Electrical staples
Push terminals
Breakers
Track lights and fittings
Dimmer switch
Waterproof junction boxes
Ground fault interrupter
Conduit
Cable
Silicon caulking
Grounded receptacles
Nail guards
DIY wiring material
Put in a junction box. Do you conceal connected wires within a wall? You should never splice wires together and conceal them within a wall without a junction box, it`s a fire hazard. Do this instead, put in an accessible junction box for the connected wires.
Do you got old wires? Replace them. Always replace wires that show signs of deterioration.
electrical wire deterioration
Take care of fuse and breaker problems. Before you replace a fuse or circuit breaker, find the reason for the blow and fix the problem that caused it to blow.
blown fuse diy wiring
Don’t overload. If you overload outlets or extension cords it`s going to create a fire hazard.
extension cord fire
Avoid water at all times when you are working with electricity. You should never touch or try repairing any electrical appliances or circuits with wet hands. Water increases the conductivity of the electric current.
do not touch electrical appliances with wet hands
Faulty equipment. Never use equipment with frayed cords, damaged insulation or broken plugs.
Basic House Wiring Rules
Never try repairing energized equipment. Always check that it is de-energized first by using a tester. When an electric tester touches a live or hot wire, the bulb inside the tester lights up showing that an electrical current is flowing through the respective wire. Check all the wires, the outer metallic covering of the service panel and any other hanging wires with an electrical tester before proceeding with your work.
Basic rules House Wiring
14. Never use an aluminum or steel ladder if you are working on any receptacle at height in your home. An electrical surge will ground you and the whole electric current will pass through your body. Use a bamboo, wooden or a fiberglass ladder instead.
If you are handling the wiring yourself, follow all safety precautions from the beginning to the end of a project to help ensure the safety of you, your neighbors and your property. It will also guarantee the longevity.
But If you are in doubt after these points, you should consider consult a detailed reference book or get a professional contractor in to do the shore. A reputable electrician understands all aspects of home wiring and may be able to wire your home safely in less time than it takes you to learn.
Light dimmers either by themselves or as part of a bigger dimming system, switches, and controls can be a confusing topic. Leviton and Lutron are popular for their variety of light controlling dimmers and switches. Let`s take a look how to select which dimmer is best suited for your home.
Dimmer Lighting Guide: Why you should use a dimmer switch?
Here are a few reasons why you should buy a dimmer:
save energy
make your room multifunctional
better focus
set the right mood
help you relax
boost your productivity
Good lighting is an important piece of your daily well-being. We often choose the paint, floor, furniture and other interior accessories after long consideration. But we often forget the most important thing, the lighting.
The right amount and type of light helps you focus, set the mood and relax when needed.
The correct light setting really brings life to the room. You can get your rooms multifunctional with a dimmer switch – convert dining room to a studio, workroom, office and even a game room for the kids.
The right amount of light increases your productivity too. With a light dimmer you can adjust the amount and form of light in a given area for specific chore or environment.
Using the correct light, not only improves the experience, it assists to save energy and money by using the right amount of light in every situation.
Save energy by using a dimmer
Any dimmer automatically saves 4-10% in electricity, even at the brightest lighting levels, over a normal light switch. Dim the lights and you save even more.
A regular light switch only saves energy in the switched off position. Dimmers and controls save money 24-7. On average, dimming an incandescent or halogen light will reduce energy use by about 20%.
Dimmers extend the life of a bulb
Dimmers reduce electricity to the light bulb, so you can save energy and extend bulb life up to 20 times – a big money saver right there. Plus you get cooler bulbs when a dimmer is used, that can convert into much cooler rooms and that`s a very nice benefit in the summer.
After installing dimmers, you can really experiment with your new lighting, use it for your advantage and make changes when needed.
In this analysis, I`m going to review the best dimmers that I have installed. With the best I mean, easiest to install, control, usability and of course quality. You don`t want to buy and install something that you`re not happy with. I have included the most used dimmer types and picked the best one from every group. So if you need an universal, low voltage, wireless, dual or maybe a plug-in dimmer, you will find the review in this post.
Best dimmer switches
Don`t have time to read the whole review?
While some of you who visit my review page, want to know what I have to say about the reviewed dimmer switches, I fully understand that some of you are just simply looking for a high quality dimmer switch. Maybe you even have an clear idea of what type of dimmer switch you need because you’re replacing one? It could even be that you’ve done loads of research by now, but you haven’t found the best dimmer yet.
In which case, I’ve added a table below, that will tell you everything you need to know.
Lutron DVELV 300P Review – 300 – Watt Diva Electronic Low Voltage Single Pole Dimmer
In this first review we`re going to take a look at the Lutron DVELV-300P which is a very popular high quality dimmer switch. It`s designed to control Electronic Low Voltage transformers that are driving 12 volt or 24 volt Halogen lamps.
Have you ever wanted a trouble free dimmer switch, you could trust to do the job?
Well, now you have it.
The Lutron Dvelv 300P dimmer brings together all the functions you want from a dimmer. It`s durable, high quality, easy to install and buzz free.
Non buzzing dimmer switch
Some of the older dimmers makes a buzzing or humming sound, that can be annoying. The sound is created by cutting up the AC current traveling between the dimmer and the light bulb. Rather than dimming the light bulb, the dimmer switch actually cause the current to flicker super fast, so that to our eyes, it seems that there is a smaller amount of light. The blocked current can make a vibration in the electromagnetic field inside the light bulb or inside the switch, which can produce a buzzing noise.
The Lutron Dvelv 300 P takes care of the buzzing, that can occure with some of the older dimmers. So if you experiencing buzzing – This should be your choice, if you want a silent dimmer.
Lutron MA L3S25 Review – WH Maestro 300 Watt Single-Pole Dual Dimmer and Switch
In this review we will take a look at the Lutron Maestro 300 Watt Dual Dimmer and Switch.
What is a dual dimmer switch?
This a dimmer that integrates both a single-pole switch at the bottom as well as a dimmer on top. This dual dimmer switch allows you to turn one light fixture on and off with the bottom switch and adjusting the lighting level of another source with the top dimmer. This dual Dimmer Switch is a perfect replacement for piled switches commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms.
Two dimmers for the price of one?
With this dimmer you get two controls in one, plus it`s filled with all of Maestro’s brilliant features. The super easy to use tap switch turns lights on/off to your preferred light level or tap twice for full lights. Press the switch, hold it between 1 – 6 seconds and release the switch for delayed fade to off. The delayed fade to off gives you 10-60 seconds to get out of the room or get into bed before the lights go out, a very useful feature and a real “toesaver”. By using the rocker you can adjust the light level for any activity. LEDs display the level of light and glows softly in the dark, so you can easily locate the switch.
Dual Digital Fade Dimmer / Digital Switch
The dimmer works with incandescent and halogen bulbs, while the switch can be used to control incandescent, magnetic or electronic low voltage, or non-dimmable fluorescent lighting loads or exhaust or ceiling fan loads.
At the touch of a button, this dimmer can go immediately to a favorite preset light level, fade-to-off, or adjust manually. Dual controls also consolidate light switches and save space.
For you DIYers the switch comes with instructions and diagrams on how to install it. The installation is a simple project, if you have changed an outlet, you can handle this too.
Sureslide saves energy without sacrificing performance
Let`s take a look at the Leviton Decora SureSlide review.
These dimmers provide smooth, slide-action, full-range dimming for incandescent and dimmable LED and CFL lamps.
As many of you know and easy and cost-effective way to make your home more energy efficient, is to replace standard light switches with dimmers.
Can`t find a universal high quality dimmer?
The challenge today is to find a dimmer, that works effectively with all the current varieties of bulbs on the market, leviton has met that challenge and is pleased to introduce the new Leviton decore sureslide universal dimmer.
Incandescent, Cfl and led dimmer
This cutting-edge device expertly controls the dimming of incandescent, cfl and LED bulbs, now that’s a pretty smart dimmer.
Let’s take a quick review of the types of bulbs you may choose for your fixtures. The standard incandescent bulb is most familiar because most everyone’s been using them for years. Newer to the market are compact fluorescent lamps, generally referred to as CFLs and light-emitting diode bulbs generally referred to as leds. Added to the mix are dimmable CFLs and LEDs, which is what I’d like to focus on today, since dimmable bulbs are compatible with the Universal dimmer.
Is Leviton sureslide 6674-P0 the best led dimmer switch?
The leviton sureslide was first available in 2012 and after installing it numerous times and getting just positive feedback from customers about it, I think it`s a good choice for anyone who wants a good dimmer.
Smooth design and easy operating dimmer
Feature are easy slide design and offers superior performance over
standard dimmers. For example this new device provides seamless startup, so there’s no momentary delay. A better dimming range, they create the perfect ambience for any occasion and are essentially future-proof, because they work beautifully with most of the latest cfl and LED bulb technologies on the market today. Plus the energy savings add up over time, making them friendly to both your wallet and the environment.
GE Smart Dimmer Switch Review Z-Wave In-Wall 12724
The best Z-Wave in-wall dimmer switch 2019
In this review we will take a look at the GE In-wall smart switch dimmer, that allows you to control lightning and other devices wirelessly with an app. Now that everyone got mobile devices, this little switch is very useful.
Why should you get this GE Smart Dimmer Switch?
The benefit of smart lighting are pretty easy to understand. We have all left the lights on when we have not intend to, or forgotten to do the same when we had wanted to, leaving us coming home at the end of the day to a totally dark apartment or house. Smart lighting gives you the opportunity to schedule it all automatically or control everything remotely.
Make your home a smart home with GE Smart Dimmer Switch Z-Wave In-Wall
Connect and control lights and other household devices wirelessly from anywhere with your phone or tablet and give yourself a piece of mind that comes with knowing your home is secure, regardless of where you are.
Z-Wave is a fully customizable home automation system, that works by allowing you to connect through your Z-Wave compatible Gateway. Giving you full control over your lights, entertainment consoles, coffee makers and other small appliances, when you want and from where you want.
Works with all CFL, LED, halogen and incandescent bulbs up to 600 watts and other devices. Schedule and control ceiling and wall lights.
Replace easily any normal in-wall switch with the GE Z-Wave Smart Dimmer switch to control lighting or small appliances with your computer or mobile device using any Z-Wave certified gateway.
Best Wi-Fi smart dimmer?
After installing all sorts of wireless smart switches, I have come to the conclusion that the GE Smart Dimmer Switch In-Wall Z-Wave 12724 is your best choice. It’s reliable in quality and offers extra features not found on any other Z-Wave smart in-wall dimmer switches. It has the very handy option for multiswitch control at a fair price.
After installing the new or your first dimmer switch, it would be a good idea to save your electric bill for the next few months, so you can compare it to your old bill and see what has changed. Hopefully will your electric bill have a nice big change for the positive and you may be motivated to try this project with the rest of your house and with even more positive results.
And most crucial of all, don’t be shy to ask for a professional installer, meanwhile they are not only worth the money, but sometimes extremely important in making sure, that everything goes perfectly.
Thank you for reading my “Best Dimmer Switch Reviews – Complete Guide 2019”, Dave.
That life is much easier when using a remote controlled outdoor dimmer switch for your outdoor dimming purposes.
Do NOT Buy a Outdoor dimmer switch before You READ THIS REVIEW. I`ve spent a lot of money on useless products that did not deliver…but let`s get back to the review.
Ok, there is only a tiny little problem. Finding an outdoor dimmer is not an easy job, because there are not many outdoor dimmers made if you are looking for something similar to an indoor dimmer. But if you want to dim something outside, there are a couple of solutions for you. Let`s take a closer look at these products.
If you just want to turn off your lights remotely or have them turn off by a preset schedule then your choice should be an outdoor dimmer or remote controlled outlet.
To make things easier for you, I have created a list of Best outdoor dimmer switches 2019. After doing some research, installing and using some of these dimmers, I have listed the top outdoor dimmer switches and remote controlled outlets you can get right now.
These outdoor dimmer switches are for everyone because the price-tag is pretty low on most of them.
Nevertheless, one thing can be said for certain, these outdoor dimmer switches are high quality enough to make it to our list of the best outdoor dimmers 2019.
Most of the consumers know GE because of their top of the line home and kitchen appliances. However, for those who don’t know, GE is also at the top for making several high ends, top of the line lightning appliances.
Outdoor Led Dimmer
The product we are going to zoom in on today is known as the GE Bluetooth Outdoor Smart Switch, the General Electric smart switch is priced under $40 and it happens to be one of the best outdoor led dimmer switches you can buy right now.
The outdoor dimmer switch offers a modern fresh look, something that people will find familiar, especially if they have used a GE product in the past. The switch is elegant pleasing with its complete black construction.
However, most of you are not here for the design and are more interested in the capability, so without wasting any more time, let’s take a look at how the switch works.
Features
The GE Z-Wave Wireless is a Smart Lighting Outdoor Control which enables you to wirelessly control your home’s outdoor appliances and lighting, including landscape and seasonal lighting, fountains and pumps, it also gives you the opportunity to turn lights on and off or schedule a timed event from anywhere and at any given time.
You can easily control outdoor lighting with your computer or mobile device using any Z-Wave certified gateway from anywhere in the world, or control the lighting on location with the manual push-button control or a Z-Wave certified remote control. It can be a little tricky to set up for non-technical people, but if you follow the easy instructions it should go smoothly.
Compitable gateways
GE Z Wave dimmer switch compatible
With that said, the manufacturer has paid a notable amount of attention to detail even when designing the device as it happens to be super easy to use and understand.
The switch is also of course weather and impact resistant and it withstands wet and damp conditions. The outlet has a solid rubber cover that keeps dirt out when the smart switch is not in use.
Outdoor dimmer switch for led lights
You can use this GE device in outdoor locations to control and program patio string led lights or to maybe turn on/off a heating element in a pond, perfect for automatic watering systems and for example, outdoor kitchen lights and you can set it up easily through Smart Things home set-up and schedule your lights.
If you`re looking for an Outdoor dimmer switch for led lights that is reliable then you should take a look at this GE Z-wave product.
Outdoor dimmer for deck lighting and landscape lighting
This little handy Trex Remote Dimmer for outdoor use is an enhanced-control dimmer and is used to adjust the brightness of any 12v lighting system. You can install it in any new or old DC LED system. It can be located and used to control the whole light system or any piece of the system.
Landscape lighting dimmer switch
The dimmer should be installed after the transformer 12v output line. If you choose to install multiple units, you can control multiple lighting areas/zones according to your particular requirements with just one remote.
The Woods 32555 Outdoor Wireless Remote switches devices on and off from 60-feet away.
You can handle your outdoor lights, patio, security lights or holiday lights from inside your home or even your car if you want to do that with the wireless remote and receiver.
The signal is pretty strong in this device, it can travel through walls, doors, windows and that`s a good feature and because of that, you don`t have to always have eye contact with the device your controlling.
Both the outlet box and remote operate on the same ‘paired’ frequency channel, so they don’t cause trouble with other electronics.
If you are getting more than one unit, the frequencies you are getting will be non-specific with a possibility of matching frequencies.
How do you install and configure the outdoor dimmer switch?
Let`s take a look at the setup.
This remote device is fast to install, you don`t need tools to set-up and it`s super easy to control just by a simple tap of a button.
This is a another smart device from General Electrics.
You can transform your home into a smart house/apartment using this compact Outdoor Smart Switch. This is almost the same product as the one reviewed first on this page, the GE Z-Wave Wireless Smart Lighting Control. This switch does not require any gateway, hub or a router to control or program your lighting.
With this smart device, you can control and schedule your outdoor lighting. It allows you to schedule and controls your home’s outdoor lighting and devices, like landscaping and seasonal light fixtures.
The GE Bluetooth outdoor switch is or course equipped with weather-resistant housing and outlet cover.
Plus it comes with multiple scheduling options, such as the seven-day sunrise and sunset setting. It has also a useful vacation/random settings and custom countdowns.
GE outdoor smart switch installation
The installation is as easy as it can be. You don`t have to do any wiring, which makes it incredibly easy to install and use.
The Insteon smart on off plug is easy as Plugging in a Lamp
With this Insteon device you can control devices such as fountain pumps and landscape or holiday lighting.
Installation is super easy. Just unplug your fountain, string light or landscape light and connect its power cord to the bottom of Outdoor On/Off Module. Then you plug the Outdoor On/Off Module into the power outlet and then you`re ready to go, that`s it – No hardwiring or tricky installation, just plug it in, plug in the device you want to use/control and link it to an Insteon controller – then just relax and enjoy the automated lighting.
You can also schedule your outdoor lights or appliances
By using the Insteon Hub on your computer, or any other Insteon-compatible device, to turn on or off at any given time or even at sunset and sunrise.
Remote control your dimmer
With Insteon Hub, just launch the Insteon app and use the remote control from your smartphone or use the Insteon app to configure control from other Insteon devices at your place.
The more of these dual-band devices you got in your network, the better it will work. I have been using these to switch landscape lighting on/off and other outdoor lights. You can use it with a lot of different devices, it`s very versatile, just remember not to go over 1800W and you`ll be good.
If you want a reliable outdoor light dimmer switch you should take a look at this Insteon plug-in module.
I’m not much of web graphic guy, but I do know a quite of a lot about dimmers. This year I’ve spent over 300 days on jobs installing and wiring electrical devices and tested over 15 different outdoor dimmers. Many of them sucked but some of them really fit the bill …like this Tossows outdoor waterproof dimmer switch.
What can you do with the Tossow Outdoor remote then?
You can turn on the Holiday Lights in a cold night (or warm)
Control Lights
Good helper for a person who is not convenient for action (elder, pregnant woman or limited mobility person) at your home
You can control the garden watering system from inside
Pretty much everything electrical can be controlled with this
100ft range
Two remote-controlled outdoor outlets
As you can see from the picture above, it has two outlets, but you can`t control them separately – The remote controls 2 outlets on/off at the same time, because it only has two buttons. There is a new version being developed, in which you can remote control 2 outlets individually and that feature will be available in the next version of this Tossow device. The Tossow is a well made outdoor waterproof dimmer switch.
Pros Cons
Price •Nothing as yet
Quality
Range
Dual outlet
Battery included
So, there you have it, folks! We tested some of the best outdoor dimmers and outlets available in the market at the moment. I hope these reviews helped you a little bit.
Four different LED GU10s – displaying the variation in colours available
With hundreds of different led bulbs to choose from, it can be diffucult to know which one to pick. In this article we will reveal the Top 5 most bought and top rated led gu10 bulbs. This review will make it easier for you to pick the right product.
For you who just want to quickly pick the best led gu10 bulb and don`t have time to read the whole article I have put together a table below.
Led light benefits – Why is led gu10 light bulbs better?
If you want to slash those electric bills, there’s no doubt LED light bulbs are a bright idea.
They use a fraction of the power of conventional bulbs and can literally last for decades.
There’s only one dark spot for LED lamps but it’s a huge one and that’s cost.
Incandescent bulb might cost 50 cents and led bulb more like twenty bucks, is it worth it? Well it depends. Since LED last so much longer and use so much less power they’re ultimately going to pay for themselves. But the keyword there is ultimately.
What you need to know is when you break even, here’s what I mean.
You keep a light on for five hours a day every day and pay
13 and a half cents per kilowatt for electricity, the cost of incandescent that’s bulbs and electricity gives me about $32 for two years and all of that cost is in electricity.
And led including both bulb and power will cost only $25, 20 of that is the cost of the bulb, almost no electricity.
So burn like five hours every day and you break even with led in less than two years. It’s a good idea but watch what happens when you don’t use the light that much.
If you keep the light on only 30 minutes a day instead of five hours the cost of incandescent is only about three dollars and fifty cents over two years. Cost for the LED – twenty dollars and fifty cents.
At this pace you’re not going to break even for 15 years.
Bottom line, while you’re always going to save money over the long run with an LED, unless you use the light a lot you may be dead before you break even, so the point of the story is, if you’re going to go with an LED replacement do it on the lights you use the absolute most.
How to choose the right GU10 LED lamps?
Have you decided to replace your old halogen bulbs by LEDs to save energy?
Then you have definitely made the right choice!
In this review we will help you pick the best GU10 LED bulbs – step by step!
led light bulbs types
The benefits of GU10 LED lamps are:
•Led bulb energy consumption
Very energy efficient as they consume less energy than standard halogen lamps for the same light output.
•Lifespan of led bulb
Led light lifespan is on average 10 to 20 times longer than halogen and incandescent bulbs.
•Led bulb energy usage
By switching to LEDs, you can significantly reduce your energy bills by about 80% and quit the hassle of replacing your bulbs frequently!
What does the Gu10, lumens, reflector and other technical terms mean?
For this example: Let`s take a look at the Philips 454363 50W Equivalent – 3000K GU10 LED Reflector Light Bulb, made to replace 50W halogen bulbs.
Gu10 led bulbs 50w equivalent: this should be your choice if you have been using a 50w halogen or incandescent bulb.
After a long time, we finally have a genuine 50w halogen replacement 7w GU10 LED.
50W Halogen Equivalent Dimmable 6.5w 3000K by Bioluz
50W Halogen Bulbs Equivalent 3W, 2700K by LE
75W GU10 LED Light Bulb, 7.5W by Torchstar
6-Watt Dimmable GU10 MR16 38° High Power 50W Equivalent by Triangle
GU10 LED Bulb 5 WATT – 35W Halogen Equivalent), 3000K Warm White by Sunco
Wattage: To choose the correct wattage of your GU10 LED lamp
You need to divide the wattage of your current halogen lamp by about 8 to find the equivalent LED wattage. For almost all LEDs, the halogen and LED wattage is usually shown in the name of the product (see below).
What does led bulb gu10 400 lumen mean?
The lumen in simple terms means, Lumens (lm) are a size of the entire amount of light from a bulb. The bigger the lumen number, the brighter the lamp will be.
The brightest LED bulb:
300w equivalent
4000 lumens
38w power
Designed to replace a 300W light bulb, the Feit C4000/5K/LED The Brightest LED Bulb Overall: 38 Watt High Powered GU10LED Spotlight, has a light output of 4000 lumens, using only 38W of power. Perfect for indoor and outdoor use, this spotlight can be used at the home or on a commercial property.
You can also choose the color temperature of your GU10 LED lamp:
Led light can have different color temperatures, shown in units called Kelvin (K). Bulbs with a low Kelvin value produce a warm, more cozy light, while those with a higher Kelvin value makes a cool, more energizing light.
Beam angle: GU10 LED lamps are available with different beam angles depending on which type of lighting you need.
25 degrees for a very narrow beam, used for specific lighting to enhance objects
36 or 40 degrees for a medium beam
60 degrees for a very wide beam, used for general lighting
The most commonly used GU10 LEDs have a beam angle of 40 degrees.
What does Gu10 mean?
Gu10 is the name of the bulbs base and the number 10 indicates the space between the two pins in millimeters.
Best gu10 led bulbs for kitchen?
What is the best light bulb for your kitchen and what to think about when choosing a new bulb.
The kitchen is a workspace for most of us. Many of us start our days in the kitchen, so those blue-light emitting led bulbs over the counters will help make us sharp and awake while making breakfast. The best choice for kitchen led bulbs are those with a color temperature between 5000k-6500K (Kelvin). The high color temperature creates a energetic mood for you.
Best Gu10 Led light for kitchen:
The Lighting Ever led bulb is fantastic bright led for your kitchen fixture:
If you also have a table in your kitchen, a dimmable overhead light fixture with a warmer color temperature (2500k-3000k) can create a relaxing space to balance out the more intense led lights over the kitchen counters. The Hyperikon warm white below is fine pick if you want a warmer light in your kitchen.
GU10 LEDs have a voltage of 230V and can be used in your regular fixtures with a GU10 socket (example of the socket: Spirit LED GU10 Socket). You don’t need to change your installation to use LEDs, simply replace your current halogen bulb by the LED to benefit from instant savings!
Want to learn the basic concepts of LEDs?
Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs are small, point light sources that can be used individually or in a cluster of more than one chip.
Optical materials can be used around the LED chip or cluster
to direct and screen the light.
If the LED chip or cluster, with its driver, is encapsulated in a bulb with a conventional lamp foot,we have a direct replacement for an incandescent lamp, which is called LED retrofit lamps.
Spectral power distribution characterizes light by giving the power
of light at each wavelength in the visible spectrum.
The materials available today make it possible to produce LEDs in all colors.
The spectral power distribution is always narrow.
Since the spectrum of a single LED is always narrow, white LED chips cannot yet be produced.
But white LED light can nevertheless be obtained by combining red, green and blue LED chips into a single module or system to give white light.
A single LED producing red, green and and blue light would therefore result in white light.
This type of LED is called RGB LED. It has four pins, one for each color and a common cathode.
Good-quality white light can be obtained by using a combination
of blue LED chip and yellow fluorescent material called phosphor. This is called a “white phosphor LED”.
This graph shows the spectral power distribution of such a white phosphor LED, from which it can be seen that now light is emitted over almost the whole of the visible spectrum.
Using an LED has a multitude of amazing benefits.
LEDs have long life. The useful lifetime of professional luminaires is 75.000 and for consumer retrofit about 20.000 hours.
LEDs are energy efficient. A LED lamp is as efficient as a CFL lamp and about 6 times as efficient as an incandescent lamp. Light emitted from LEDs do not contain any infrared or ultraviolet radiation. This makes the use of LEDs around heat sensitive or UV sensitive materials safe.
Because of these benefits, more LEDs are being used as integral part of luminaires.
I`ve been using these for landscape light fixtures but they can be used in various locations around your house and property.
I have them on about 9-10 hours at night on a timer and in pretty much all types of weather. In two years so far, I have yet to replace any bulb.
The bulbs put out more than enough of light to focus on your landscape trees and bushes.
Led replacement bulbs for Malibu landscape lights
If you have been using halogen bulbs before the low-wattage use of these bulbs is going to drop your energy bill big time. Plus these little bright bulbs are reasonable priced too.
Not only are you going to save electricity, you can also add fixtures and still not go over the wattage your transformer allows if you`re upgrading from halogens.
The soft color is very natural and does not have that fake LED light color that some bulbs have.
These are also largely unaffected by vibration because they do not have filaments or glass enclosures.
Features:
2.4W LED MR11 Light Bulb 12v
20w Halogen Replacement
GU4 Bi-Pin Base
Soft White 3000K or Daylight White 4000K
120° Beam Flood Spread considered the industry standard
Colored GU4 bulbs for adding color to the landscape
You can save over 85% instantly with your electric bill by upgrading your halogen MR11 bulbs to these UL listed CB Concept LEDs.
The size of these bulbs are little larger than most sold LEDs, so make sure they fit in the fixture before buying. The height of these are 35mm or 1.37″ so they are a bit larger than the standard bulb, but they fit perfectly into all MR11 standard sockets.
cb concept gu4 led bulb size
Malibu outdoor lighting fixture led bulbs
The white bulbs are the only dimmable so don`t make the mistake and buy the colored bulbs and try to dim them. The non-dimmable bulbs are blue and red.
They are made of aluminum and PC and because of that they are shatter resistant in normal use. The bulb produces only a tiny amount of heat, that you only feel if you directly touch the lens.
Philips GU4 LEDs are a little pricey than the unknown brands, but let`s take a look what you get for your money?
These Philips LEDs turn on instantly at maximum brightness so you don`t have to wait for it which can be annoying, the light is also very bright but it will not fade fabrics or colors.
One more good thing about these are that they don`t flicker at all and they are mercury free so they are nature-friendly.
You can use these for outdoor landscape fixtures and indoor track lights. They provide a bright, white light and are perfect for illuminating pathways or walkways.
If you want a really bright bulb you should check out the Torchstar 5000K Daylight Spotlight. It`s one of the Brightest MR11 LED bulbs. It delivers 240 Lumen, brightest in its class. It`s equivalent to 35 watt halogen light bulb with 80% less power consumption.
This bulb is available in: Warm white 2700K and Daylight 5000K.
The bulb is standard size, Φ35*39 mm and it`s a good replacement for traditional MR11 base halogen light bulbs. It`s also AC/DC compatible so you can use it with all types of power supplies.
I know how difficult it is to find a LED bulb that is really warm in color. Some bulbs have a really harsh color but these 2700k bulbs have a nice warm color. I`ve compared the light color side by side with a standard warm halogen bulb and the Torchstar is a perfect match.
It`s made of thermoplastic material, this LED light comes with an insulating body and a completely insulated power driver and the benefit of this design is that it protects users from electric shocks.
Thermoplastic material was not long ago introduced into the LED industry and has big advantages over traditional aluminum material. Its high radiation ratio enables it to dissipate heat quickly, which directly contributes to a longer and more stable service life.
If you going to use it with outdoor landscape light fixtures( these lights are compatible with Malibu style lights ), please make sure to protect this light bulb from water to ensure long lifespan.
Energy saving Gu4 led spot
Let`s take a look how much you save using LED vs. Halogen bulb.
Electric consumption of LED 3W LED bulb: 3W × 8Hrs × 365Days=8.76Kwh
Electric consumption of 35W halogen bulb: 35W× 8Hrs × 365Days=102.2Kwh
Gu4 halogen replacement
The energy that you save in a year per bulb is enormous when using LEDs vs Halogen.
Features Torchstar Daylight(5000K) :
12V 3W MR11 Bulb LED Spotlight
35W Halogen Equivalent
Bi Pin GU4 Base
30° Beam Angle
5000K Daylight 240lm for Recessed, Track Lighting, Accent Lighting for Home and Commercial
One important thing you should be aware of is that you should not use two bulbs in the same unit with this bulb. Why?
It is because it uses sensitive sensor in the bulb and when the bulb detects light from another bulb,the bulb is going to turn off. You should keep two of these bulbs 3.5ft apart to be safe.
One positive feature of this Gu4 Led bulb by Rye is that it has good light color and the flood beam is 120°.
gu4 lamp led bulb
Gu4 lamp
This Gu4 lamp bulb has no reflector, so basically it`s going to blind you if you look straight at it, so you should place it somewhere were the beam is directed away from your eyes or just don`t look at it.
Also it does not have any glass cover, so use it just indoors or in a weatherproof fixture.
Features:
Rye-Tech 3W MR11 GU4 LED Bulbs 12V AC/DC
25-30W Halogen Bulbs Equivalent
GU4 Base,
250lm
120° Flood Beam
Warm White 3000K
Pack of 4
Pros
•High Quality light color
•Does not get hot
•Price
Cons
•Non-dimmable
•The brightness can surprise you
•No cover glass
Conclusion
I know how hard it is to find an LED bulb that is perfect for your needs. Some are too bright, wrong color, too unnatural light or just cheap junk.
Picking GU4 LEDs out of the plethora available online can be tiresome, but I would give these bulbs green light. These bulbs work perfectly and are made of good quality materials.
In this article you`re going to learn about the types of dimmer switches there are available.
There are hundreds of dimmers on the market and I know it can be difficult to choose the right type of dimmer, they almost all look the same and with a bunch of model numbers it can get a bit overwhelming.
Basic dimmer information
So let`s go over the basic information and determine the type of dimmer you should get.
Three-way dimmers are used for lights controlled by one dimmer and one or more switches in other places. Here`s a Lutron 3-Way Dimmer.3 way dimmer
Several or multi-location dimmers are used for lights managed by multiple companion dimmers allowing for full lighting control from four or more locations. Here`s a Lutron Multi-Location Dimmer.Multi location dimmer
Plugin dimmers are used to dim bulbs in table and floor lamps. You just plug it into your lamp and wall socket. It helps you save energy and extends the lifespan of your bulbs. Example of Lutron plug-in dimmer.Plug-in lamp dimmer
Types of dimmer switches
Trailing edge and leading edge dimmers
Okay, so there are many types of dimmers available, but the most popular are the two that we’ll be concentrating on are leading edge and trailing edge phase-cut dimmers.
As their name implies, both work by trimming the voltage at various phases of an alternating current’s sine wave and thereby reducing the power they send to the bulb. Now, at this point I’m aware that there’ll be some amongst you that are itching to know exactly how this works, which is why I’ve kindly included a link to our leading edge and trailing edge dimmer guide.
Leading edge dimmers are the most popular of the two. They’ve been around for a long time and are traditionally used to dim normal incandescent and halogen bulbs. They have a much higher wattage range usually anywhere between 250W and 1000W and because of that they don`t operate well with low wattage LED bulbs, though this can be achievable if the required tolerances are met.
Trailing edge or LED compatible dimmers have been designed for use with LED bulbs and because of that they share a number of characteristics that make them much more compatible, such as comparable wattage ranges and an inherently digital make up. The needed wattages for these dimmers are way lower, making them more compatible with the lower wattage of LED bulbs. But again, trailing edge dimmers can also be used to dim normal bulbs if the wattage tolerances are still met, and they do this more effectively than using a leading edge dimmer to dim LED bulbs.
Universal Dimmers
Universal Dimmers are used to control halogen, incandescent, dimmable CFL and dimmable LED bulbs.
They offer maximum-range dimming, soft start-up, and eliminate flickering of lights. When using CFL or LED bulbs with a dimmer, check that the packaging on the bulb shows that it is dimmable. Most bulb and dimmer manufacturers gives bulb compatibility information on their sites.
Halogen and Incandescent Dimmers
Halogen/Incandescent Dimmers are used to control halogen and incandescent bulbs. You are not supposed to use them to control CFL and LED bulbs or dimmable CFL and LED bulbs. If you use them for that, it may result in bad performance.
Electronic Low Voltage Dimmer (ELV)
ELV Dimmers are used to control electronic low voltage transformers and dimmable LED power supplies ex. ELV track lighting, Led strips and under cabinet lighting . For installation ELV Dimmers needs a neutral wire.
These dimming devices are used to control high wattage lighting, mainly 1000 W. If you have a fixture with over 600 W your choice should be a HWD.
An important thing to remember is that, use only one type of bulb in a lighting fixture, otherwise it may cause some trouble in performance.
Dimmer switch wattage calculation
Now you`re maybe wondering, but what about wattage?
Dimmers come in many different wattage models. The most typical dimmer wattage ratings are 150 watts, 300 watts, 600 watts and 1000 watts. 150 watt rated dimmers are usually used for a single bulb. You can find the wattage rating usually on a sticker on the light fixture.
Dimmers are built to control many wattage loads and levels. You should select the dimmer by your wattage requirements. The calculation could not be easier.
Here`s how you calculate dimmer wattage.
Do like this:
Add the total wattage of the bulbs you want to dim. Like this, a fixture with three 50 W bulbs has a total wattage of 150 W (3 bulbs x 50 watts).
You can use a 200 W dimmer or bigger in this case.
What about when you have 2 dimmers then?
You calculate it the same way. Say you have six 50 W lights in a room, but they are split, there are 3 lights per dimmer.
First dimmer: 3 x 50 W=150 W
Second dimmer: 3 x 50 W=150 W
You will need two 150 W or bigger dimmers in this case.
Dimmer switch control designs
With a wide array of control options, styles, and colors, you can choose from hundreds of stand-alone dimmers.
The most used styles of dimmer switches
With so many styles of dimmers to choose from, you are very likely to find one that fits your needs. So let`s go over the most used models and couple of funny ones too.
Rotary dimmers are classic, you adjust the lighting level with a rotating knob.
rotary-knob dimmer
Toggle dimmer switch up and down like a normal switch, but the level of light returns automatically to the last level that was set.
toggle dimmer
Slide dimmers slide up n` down and are available in preset or slide-to-off designs.
slide dimmer
Rocker dimmers resemble a decorator-style rocker switch that “rocks” up and down to return the light to your favorite level.
rocker dimmer
Tap/Digital dimmers feature a touch pad or button controls that return light levels to your preset level. Some tap levels have LED lights that indicate the current light level.
tap dimmer
Scene selector dimmers feature multiple buttons that let you switch to different light levels.
scene dimmer
Maybe you want something totally different?
Take a look at these:
dimmer switch dogdimmer switch dog
What dimmer switch should i use?
In conclusion:
Determine the number of switches that control the light group. If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. If two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you will need a 3-way dimmer.
Then look at the bulb type you are going to be using and pick the right type of dimmer. The universal dimmer model will do it for most locations.
1-watt LED bulbs have a much longer life span than traditional incandescent light bulbs and require less energy. They come in a range of shapes, offer a variety of sheens, and come in different base widths to match nearly any light fixture.
1 watt led light bulb
The reason Leds last longer than other types of bulbs:
they have no filaments
the metal does not get fatigued
no oxidation
no evaporation
they are robust
LEDs don’t burn out like traditional bulbs.
Leds brightness decreases at a slow pace over their lifespans. LEDs might last for hundreds of years, but they will be functioning at approximately 70% brightness when they have reached the full term of their expected lifespan.
1-watt LED is equivalent to a 7.5W incandescent bulb.
Are you searching for a luminous, energy-saving, retro-style bulb?
Then look no further than the Newhouse Lighting S14 1-watt LED bulb.
These modern bulbs are available separately as replacements to popular outdoor string lights.
You can even upgrade your 11-watt incandescent bulbs to these energy-sipping leds, upgrading saves energy and the retro style bulbs lasts 5x longer.
These Newhouse led plastic bulbs are available in 3-pack, 6-pack and 18-pack.
These bulbs are shatter resistant. The bulbs also work great in any E26/medium/standard base light fixture. The light color temperature is at a warm 2400K,
•Patented LED candelabra base Night light / Window candles replacement bulb, 4pack,
•For Night lights, Window candles, Applicances, Accent, Task and Genergal lighting
•Not Dimmable* but compatible with photo sensor
•Equivalent to 7W incandescent bulb
•15000hrs
•1year warranty
•e12 base
These little 1-watt led bulbs by Landlite produces 35 lumens light output.
The bulb has a nice warm color temperature of 2700K. It is very close to standard tungsten lighting. The LED also has a good spectrum of light and creates proper color rendition. Many other brands of E12 night light bulbs use surface mount LED’s which don’t distribute the light very good. They tend to shine out the top which doesn’t work very good in certain applications. These are also compatible with most sensor night lights. The size of these small leds are: height 2.2inch and width 0.9 inch.
Pros
•Light distribution
•Sturdy
•Does not get warm
Cons
•Just 1 year warranty
•*Are dimmable in some dimmers, but says not dimmable on the package
These Satco LED bulbs comes in many types of shapes and base models:
T6 / Candelabra Base
C7 / Candelabra Base
CA8 / Candelabra Base
BA9.5 / Candelabra Base
BA9.5 Crystal / Candelabra Base
S11 / Medium Base
B11 / Medium Base
S11 / Intermediate Base
S14 / Medium Base
A15 / Medium Base
G16.5 / Medium Base
Gentle warm light and long life LED
Satco`s little bulbs are perfect for small lamps and they are very energy efficient. The light output for the frosted version is 40 lumens and the clear bulb is 50 lumens and they have the same low 1w power draw.
Features:
Solid State LED lighting
Specialty & Indicator lamp
Long life
Carded
Wet location
Non-Dimmable
Color warm white
Pros
•Many colors
•Lots of shapes and base types
•3 year warranty
Cons
•Big difference in light output between the 1w and 1.5w
You can forget the broken glass bulbs with these shatterproof 1W bulbs by Fantado.
These super bright great looking globe shaped bulbs are made of industrial polycarbonate, you can feel secure they will withstand the wear and tear. The bulb is sold individually and not in packs so you don`t have to pay for bulbs you have no use for.
They use much less amps, five of these uses the same energy as one incandescent and they produce almost no heat at all. The bulb is bright with a beautiful warm glow. You get to choose from Cool white and Warm white color. The filament-style emitter is pretty stylish both lit and unlit, a nice a trade up from other LED styles.
The 1 watt led price of these bulbs are very affordable
The bulb came well packaged and of 20 bulbs ordered and installed so far every bulb is ok.
They are available in many different base types and wattages:
S14/E26 – .7Watt
S14/E26 – 1Watt
Globe G40/E12 – .5Watt
Globe G40/E12 – 1Watt
Globe G40/E17 – 1Watt
Globe G50/E12 – .7Watt
Pros
•Sold separately
•Durable
Cons
•Just 2 color options
BEST 1 WATT LED BULBS?
JandCase 1-watt LED
Newhouse Lighting 1-Watt
Landlite LED 1W
Satco S9161 LED Bulb
Fantado 1W
Reviews and Information About Dimmer Switches And LEDs
Remote control your dimmer
